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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Suffolk County, MA

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.

Suffolk County, Massachusetts is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 984 feet, Suffolk County receives approximately 45.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savoy Cabbage during the growing season.

Suffolk County, MA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Suffolk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16

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 ~1,508 GDD — county provides 2,948 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Suffolk County, MA

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 28

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

176 days

Growing Tips for Suffolk 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 Suffolk County, MA?

Suffolk County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Suffolk County, MA?

Suffolk County, Massachusetts is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Suffolk County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Suffolk County, MA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.