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When to Plant Cabbage in Galveston 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.

Galveston County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost is December 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 305 days.

At an elevation of 9 feet, Galveston County receives approximately 72.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, 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.

Galveston County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
305 days
Last Spring Frost February 5
305 growing days
First Fall Frost December 7

Galveston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 21 Transplant: Jan 18 🍅 Harvest: Mar 22 – May 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (186 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Feb 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – Jun 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (173 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 3

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 Only during dry spells
Season total 13 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~2,000 GDD — county provides 7,650 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Galveston County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 8 Jan 8 โ€“ Jan 22
Transplant Outdoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Direct Sow January 15 Jan 15 โ€“ Feb 5
Fall Sowing October 12 Oct 12 โ€“ Oct 26
Harvest April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Jun 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

305 days

Growing Tips for Galveston 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 Galveston County, TX?

Galveston County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 5. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Galveston County, TX?

Galveston County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and first fall frost is December 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Galveston County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Galveston County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.