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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Mineral County, CO

Mineral County, Colorado Zone 5a May

May in Mineral County, Colorado — your action list

Welcome to May in Zone 5a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost June 10
Avg. first frost September 13
Soil temp (4") 34°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Outdoor sowing time: savoy cabbage

    Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.

Looking ahead to June
  • Transplants going out: savoy cabbage

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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.

Mineral County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 95 days.

At an elevation of 7,809 feet, Mineral County receives approximately 12.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savoy Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savoy Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Mineral County, CO (Zone 5a) Very short season
95 days
Last Spring Frost June 10
95 growing days
First Fall Frost September 13
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Mineral County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 24 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 22 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 4 – Oct 30

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 Mineral County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–8.0) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savoy Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 745 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 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Mineral 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 ~900 GDD — county provides 950 GDD Good fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Mineral County, CO

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Transplant Outdoors June 10 Jun 10 – Jun 24
Direct Sow May 27 May 27 – Jun 17
Harvest August 19 Aug 19 – Oct 14
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 – Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

95 days in Mineral County

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Mineral County

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after June 10 in Mineral County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 95.0-day growing season in Mineral County is tight for Savoy Cabbage (70.0-110.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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.

Mineral County receives only 13" of rain annually. Savoy Cabbage needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Mineral County, CO?

Mineral County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 10. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mineral County, CO?

Mineral County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and first fall frost is September 13.

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Your Mineral County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Mineral County (Zone 5a). 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 Mineral County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.