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When to Plant Cabbage in Karnes 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.

Karnes County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 4,532 feet, Karnes County receives approximately 67.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Karnes County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
277 growing days
First Fall Frost November 30

Karnes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 10 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20

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
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 705 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,700 GDD — county provides 5,907 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Karnes County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 22 Jan 22 โ€“ Feb 5
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Direct Sow February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Mar 5
Fall Sowing September 21 Sep 21 โ€“ Oct 5
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

277 days

Growing Tips for Karnes 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 Karnes County, TX?

Karnes County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Karnes County, TX?

Karnes County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 30.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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