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When to Plant Cabbage in Austin County, TX

Cabbage is a versatile cool-season crop that forms dense, leafy heads in green, red, or savoy varieties. It is a staple for coleslaw, sauerkraut, and many global cuisines.

Austin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 274 days.

At an elevation of 350 feet, Austin County receives approximately 68.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Austin County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
274 days
Last Spring Frost February 28
274 growing days
First Fall Frost November 29

Austin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 4,812 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Austin County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 24 Jan 24 โ€“ Feb 7
Transplant Outdoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Direct Sow February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Mar 7
Fall Sowing September 20 Sep 20 โ€“ Oct 4
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ Jun 27

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

274 days

Growing Tips for Austin County

Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent heads from splitting.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Austin County, TX?

Austin County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 28. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Austin County, TX?

Austin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 28 and first fall frost is November 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Austin County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Austin County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.