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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Lassen County, CA

Lassen County, California Zone 7a May

May in the garden — Lassen County, California

May is a pivotal month for Lassen County, California gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 28
Avg. first frost September 29
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Transplant savoy cabbage outside

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

  2. Direct-sow savoy cabbage

    Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.

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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.

Lassen County, California is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 124 days.

At an elevation of 1,854 feet, Lassen County receives approximately 43.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savoy Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Lassen County, CA (Zone 7a) Short season
124 days
Last Spring Frost May 28
124 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29
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Lassen County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 23 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 15 Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Oct 23

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 Lassen County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.5) is within Savoy Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Savoy Cabbage.

How to Plant Savoy Cabbage

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

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Savoy Cabbage

Savoy Cabbage needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Savoy Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 9.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 9.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 7.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 6.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Lassen County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Savoy 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.

Savoy Cabbage needs ~1,170 GDD — county provides 1,612 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Lassen County, CA

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 – Jun 11
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 – Jun 4
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 – Oct 1
Fall Sowing July 21 Jul 21 – Aug 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

124 days in Lassen County

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Lassen County

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after May 28 in Lassen County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Savoy 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. 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Savoy Cabbage in Lassen County, CA?

Lassen County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 28. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lassen County, CA?

Lassen County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 28 and first fall frost is September 29.

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Your Lassen County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lassen County (Zone 7a). 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 Lassen County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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