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When to Plant Cabbage in Red River 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.

Red River County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 314 feet, Red River County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. 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.

Red River County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Red River County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 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.

Soil Compatibility in Red River County

How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.2) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Red River County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Cabbage will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 238-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 4,343 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Red River County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jul 15

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

238 days in Red River County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Red River County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 18 in Red River County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Red River County dries quickly โ€” mulch Cabbage with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Red River County reach 91ยฐF โ€” grow Cabbage as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Common pests for Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Red River County, TX?

Red River County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Red River County, TX?

Red River County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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