When to Plant Cabbage in USDA Zone 8b
Zone 8b gardeners: here's your April plan
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this April, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Fire up the seed-starting tray: cabbage
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
Before May arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: cabbage
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.
In Zone 8b, the average last spring frost is around February 25 and the first fall frost is around November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.
Cabbage Planting Timeline — Zone 8b
Where Is USDA Zone 8b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 8b. Click any state to see the Cabbage planting schedule for that location.
Cabbage Planting Calendar — Zone 8b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 21 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Direct Sow | February 11 | Feb 11 – Mar 4 |
| Harvest | April 29 | Apr 29 – Jun 24 |
| Fall Sowing | September 19 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 8b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 8b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.9"/week · Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
60–100 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
276 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Cabbage in Zone
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Cabbage in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~276 days). Start Cabbage indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
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Saving Cabbage Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Cabbage in Other Zones
Cabbage by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cabbage in Zone 8b?
In Zone 8b, plan your Cabbage planting around the average last frost date of February 25. Start seeds indoors around January 21. Direct sow outdoors around February 11. Transplant seedlings around February 25.
Can Cabbage grow in Zone 8b?
Yes, Cabbage can grow well in Zone 8b, hardy in USDA zones 1a through 10b. Zone 8b has a growing season of approximately 276 days, which is sufficient for Cabbage (60-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Cabbage in Zone 8b?
In Zone 8b, expect to harvest Cabbage from April 29 – June 24. Cabbage takes 60-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 8b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 8b is around February 25, and the first fall frost is around November 28. This gives a growing season of approximately 276 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Cabbage?
Good companion plants for Cabbage include Celery, Dill, Onion, Potatoes. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.