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When to Plant Cabbage in Glades County, FL

Glades County, Florida Zone 10a May

This month in Glades County, Florida

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

Avg. last frost February 1
Avg. first frost December 19
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.3 hrs
  1. Basket week: cabbage

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

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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.

Glades County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 1 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 434 feet, Glades County receives approximately 54.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Glades County, FL (Zone 10a) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 1
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 19

Glades County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (200 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 25 Transplant: Jan 22 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – May 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (202 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 4 Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – May 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 28

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 Glades County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.3) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Glades County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Cabbage will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.6%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

6
successive plantings in your 321-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 10 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,323 gal / 100 sq ft

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 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 2.5" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Mar 3.9" 2.9" 1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 3.9" 2.7" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 8.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 2.3" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.9" 2.3" 1.6" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Glades 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 ~2,060 GDD — county provides 8,291 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Glades County, FL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 4 Jan 4 – Jan 18
Transplant Outdoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Direct Sow January 11 Jan 11 – Feb 1
Harvest April 5 Apr 5 – May 31
Fall Sowing October 24 Oct 24 – Nov 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

321 days in Glades County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Glades County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after February 01 in Glades County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Glades County dries quickly — mulch Cabbage with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Glades County reach 101°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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Glades County, FL?

Glades County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of February 1. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Glades County, FL?

Glades County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 1 and first fall frost is December 19.

🌱

Your Glades County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Glades County (Zone 10a). 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 Glades County, FL. 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.