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When to plant Cabbage in Barton, AR

In Barton, plant Cabbage in spring between February 28 and March 21, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Barton's last frost averages March 14, so most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. For a fall crop, sow between September 3 and September 17 — roughly 60–100 days before the first frost on November 12.

When to Plant Cabbage in Barton, AR

Cabbage
Phillips County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

What to do in June

Your Phillips County, Arkansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Pick cabbage

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: cabbage

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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.

Barton, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 678 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Barton, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Barton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 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.

Soil Compatibility in Barton

How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Phillips County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 243-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 04 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 03.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 93 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.2" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.9" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Phillips 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 needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Barton, AR

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 – Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 21
Harvest May 16 May 16 – Jul 11
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 – Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Phillips County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Barton

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 14 in Phillips County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Phillips County reach 93°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

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Cabbage in Barton, AR?

In Barton, AR, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around March 14) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Barton, AR for Cabbage?

Barton sits in USDA Zone 8a. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Barton's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Barton's temperate climate. Barton averages a 243-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 14 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Phillips County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Phillips 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.

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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 Phillips County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.