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When to Plant Cabbage in Hill 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.

Hill County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 2,597 feet, Hill County receives approximately 54.7 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.

Hill County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Hill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 238 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,977 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Hill County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 19
Fall Sowing September 10 Sep 10 โ€“ Sep 24
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jul 9

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

252 days

Growing Tips for Hill 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 Hill County, TX?

Hill County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hill County, TX?

Hill County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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