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When to Plant Cabbage in Giles County, VA

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.

Giles County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.

At an elevation of 613 feet, Giles County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Giles County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
158 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
158 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Giles County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 2,765 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Giles County, VA

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

158 days

Growing Tips for Giles 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 Giles County, VA?

Giles County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Giles County, VA?

Giles County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Giles County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Giles County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.