Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Dawson 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.

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,748 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 46.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Dawson County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Dawson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 314 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~2,120 GDD — county provides 5,909 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Dawson County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 8
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

223 days

Growing Tips for Dawson 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 Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dawson County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Dawson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.