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When to Plant Cabbage in Franklin 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.

Franklin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 324 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 60 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Franklin County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 511 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,820 GDD — county provides 5,414 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jul 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
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 8a

Growing Season

238 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, TX?

Franklin County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, TX?

Franklin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Franklin County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.