Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Gillespie 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.

Gillespie County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 3,036 feet, Gillespie County receives approximately 65.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Gillespie County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Gillespie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (117 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 4,380 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Gillespie County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Sep 19
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 16

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

240 days

Growing Tips for Gillespie 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 Gillespie County, TX?

Gillespie County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gillespie County, TX?

Gillespie County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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