When to Plant Cabbage in Conway County, AR
Conway County, Arkansas gardeners: here's your May plan
Your Conway County, Arkansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
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Start cabbage under lights
You're about 25 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: cabbage
Cabbage is a versatile cool-season crop that forms dense, leafy heads in green, red, or savoy varieties. It is a staple for coleslaw, sauerkraut, and many global cuisines.
Conway County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.
At an elevation of 1,174 feet, Conway County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.
Conway County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Conway County
How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.5) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Conway County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.
How to Plant Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Cabbage
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 21.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Cabbage
Cabbage needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Cabbage Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.9" | 3.6" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3.9" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.9" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.9" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.9" | 3.4" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.9" | 3.1" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Conway County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Cabbage Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Cabbage Planting Timeline — Conway County, AR
Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Direct Sow | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 8 |
| Harvest | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jul 29 |
| Fall Sowing | August 21 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
212 days in Conway County
Growing Tips for Cabbage in Conway County
Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 01 in Conway County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Conway County reach 91°F — grow Cabbage as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
Common pests for Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent heads from splitting.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cabbage in Conway County, AR?
Conway County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Conway County, AR?
Conway County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 30.
Your Conway County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Conway County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.