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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Franklin County, ME

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.

Franklin County, Maine is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 244 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Savoy Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Franklin County, ME (Zone 4a) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 19 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 4

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Savoy Cabbage needs ~900 GDD — county provides 1,370 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, ME

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

70โ€“110 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4a

Growing Season

137 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, ME?

Franklin County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, ME?

Franklin County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Franklin County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.