Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Bexar 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.

Bexar County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 251 days.

At an elevation of 3,197 feet, Bexar County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Bexar County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
251 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
251 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Bexar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4

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.

Soil Compatibility in Bexar County

How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.8) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Bexar County is excellent for Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 251-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 08.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 63 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cabbage

Cabbage needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 3.9" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 7.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 8.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 6.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 6.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 3.9" 1.9" 2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Bexar County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cabbage Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cabbage needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,957 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Bexar County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 18
Harvest May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jul 8
Fall Sowing September 8 Sep 8 โ€“ Sep 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

251 days in Bexar County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Bexar County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 11 in Bexar County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Bexar County reach 93ยฐF โ€” grow Cabbage as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Common pests for Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Bexar County, TX?

Bexar County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bexar County, TX?

Bexar County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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