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When to Plant Cabbage in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 296 days.

At an elevation of 349 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 64.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, 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.

Jefferson County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
296 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
296 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 27 Transplant: Jan 24 🍅 Harvest: Mar 28 – May 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (177 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (174 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 261 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cabbage needs ~2,060 GDD — county provides 7,647 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 โ€“ Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 13
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 โ€“ Oct 25
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ Jun 12

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

296 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, TX?

Jefferson County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, TX?

Jefferson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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