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When to Plant Cabbage in USDA Zone 9a

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 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 10 and the first fall frost is around December 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.

Zone 9a Year-round
303 days
Last Spring Frost February 10
303 growing days
First Fall Frost December 10

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Zone 9a

Where Is USDA Zone 9a?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9a. Click any state to see the Cabbage planting schedule for that location.

Prints a clean, ink-friendly version without maps or navigation.

Cabbage Planting Calendar — Zone 9a

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 13 Jan 13 – Jan 27
Transplant Outdoors February 10 Feb 10 – Feb 24
Direct Sow January 20 Jan 20 – Feb 10
Fall Sowing October 15 Oct 15 – Oct 29
Harvest April 14 Apr 14 – Jun 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
November
December

Free Zone 9a Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.

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Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

60–100 days

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Zone Temperature Range

20°F to 25°F average annual minimum

Growing Season

303 days (Zone 9a average)

Planting Specifications

Planting Depth1 inches
Plant Spacing15 inches apart
Row Spacing24 inches between rows

Growing Tips for Zone 9a

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

Saving Cabbage Seeds

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Garden Shade Cloth $15-35

Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.

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Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

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Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Zone 9a?

In Zone 9a, plan your Cabbage planting around the average last frost date of February 10. Start seeds indoors around January 13. Direct sow outdoors around January 20. Transplant seedlings around February 10.

Can Cabbage grow in Zone 9a?

Yes, Cabbage can grow well in Zone 9a, hardy in USDA zones 1a through 10b. Zone 9a has a growing season of approximately 303 days, which is sufficient for Cabbage (60-100 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Cabbage in Zone 9a?

In Zone 9a, expect to harvest Cabbage from April 14 – June 9. Cabbage takes 60-100 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 9a?

The average last spring frost in Zone 9a is around February 10, and the first fall frost is around December 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 303 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.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — organize your planting dates for Zone 9a, track your crops, and plan your garden season from seed to harvest.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.