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When to Plant Cabbage in Brazos 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.

Brazos County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 74 feet, Brazos County receives approximately 63.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Brazos County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 25

Brazos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 2

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
1.0″/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 ~1,460 GDD — county provides 4,854 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Brazos County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Fall Sowing September 16 Sep 16 โ€“ Sep 30
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jul 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
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

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

266 days

Growing Tips for Brazos 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 Brazos County, TX?

Brazos County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brazos County, TX?

Brazos County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brazos 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 Brazos County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.