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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Penobscot 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.

Penobscot County, Maine is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 842 feet, Penobscot County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Savoy Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Penobscot County, ME (Zone 4b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Penobscot County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28

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
Savoy Cabbage needs ~1,102 GDD — county provides 1,776 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Penobscot County, ME

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Jul 24
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
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 4b

Growing Season

145 days

Growing Tips for Penobscot 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 Penobscot County, ME?

Penobscot County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Penobscot County, ME?

Penobscot County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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