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When to Plant Cabbage in Freestone 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.

Freestone County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 398 feet, Freestone County receives approximately 71.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Freestone County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Freestone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.9-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,878 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Freestone 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
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jul 8

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

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

247 days

Growing Tips for Freestone 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 Freestone County, TX?

Freestone County is in Zone 8a 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 Freestone County, TX?

Freestone County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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