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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in USDA Zone 5b

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.

In Zone 5b, the average last spring frost is around April 18 and the first fall frost is around October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

Zone 5b Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Zone 5b

Where Is USDA Zone 5b?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5b. Click any state to see the Savoy Cabbage planting schedule for that location.

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

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar — Zone 5b

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 22
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 – Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Free Zone 5b Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5b 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

70–110 days

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Zone Temperature Range

-15°F to -10°F average annual minimum

Growing Season

178 days (Zone 5b average)

Planting Specifications

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

Succession Planting Savoy Cabbage in Zone 5b

2
successive plantings in Zone 5b's ~178-day season

Sow every 8 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Zone 5b

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

Saving Savoy Cabbage Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

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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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Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Related Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Savoy Cabbage in Zone 5b?

In Zone 5b, plan your Savoy Cabbage planting around the average last frost date of April 18. Start seeds indoors around March 14. Direct sow outdoors around April 4. Transplant seedlings around April 18.

Can Savoy Cabbage grow in Zone 5b?

Yes, Savoy Cabbage can grow well in Zone 5b, hardy in USDA zones 1a through 10b. Zone 5b has a growing season of approximately 178 days, which is sufficient for Savoy Cabbage (70-110 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Savoy Cabbage in Zone 5b?

In Zone 5b, expect to harvest Savoy Cabbage from June 27 – August 22. Savoy Cabbage takes 70-110 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 5b?

The average last spring frost in Zone 5b is around April 18, and the first fall frost is around October 13. This gives a growing season of approximately 178 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.

What should I plant next to Savoy Cabbage?

Good companion plants for Savoy Cabbage include Celery, Dill, Onion. 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 5b, 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.