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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in DeKalb County, AL

Savoy cabbage has crinkled, deeply veined leaves that form looser heads than regular cabbage. It has a milder, sweeter flavor and is more cold-tolerant.

DeKalb County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 393 feet, DeKalb County receives approximately 56.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savoy Cabbage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Savoy Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savoy Cabbage root diseases.

DeKalb County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
213 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

DeKalb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Savoy Cabbage needs ~1,642 GDD — county provides 3,887 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” DeKalb County, AL

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 8
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

70โ€“110 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

213 days

Growing Tips for DeKalb County

Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Savoy cabbage is more forgiving of temperature fluctuations than smooth-leaved types. Excellent for stuffed cabbage rolls.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Savoy Cabbage in DeKalb County, AL?

DeKalb County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is DeKalb County, AL?

DeKalb County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help DeKalb County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 DeKalb County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.