Blog

When to plant Cabbage in Saint Cloud, FL

Plant Cabbage in Saint Cloud, when soil hits 50°F — usually January 1. Continue planting through January 22 for the spring crop. A second sowing from October 25 to November 8 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Saint Cloud, FL

Cabbage
Osceola County, Florida Zone 10a July

What to do in July

Here's what deserves your attention in Osceola County, Florida this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 10a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost January 22
Avg. first frost December 20
Soil temp (4") 96°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Plan the fall garden

    Make a planting map for August. Tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, lettuce, root crops all go in over the next 8 weeks. Soil amendments and irrigation prep happen now.

  2. Keep heat-survivor crops productive

    Daily harvest of okra and southern peas keeps plants producing. Let pods over-mature and the plant stops setting new fruit.

  3. Watch for hurricane prep season

    August-October is hurricane season. Stake young trees, secure rain barrels, and plan how to protect tender transplants from high winds.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Saint Cloud, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 22 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 332 days.

At an elevation of 352 feet, Osceola County receives approximately 58.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 102°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.

Saint Cloud, FL (Zone 10a) Year-round
332 days
Last Spring Frost January 22
332 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

Saint Cloud Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (215 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 15 Transplant: Jan 12 🍅 Harvest: Mar 16 – May 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (213 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 25 Transplant: Jan 22 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – May 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Feb 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 22 – Jun 17

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 Saint Cloud

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.1) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.7%). 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 332-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 11 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 25.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 568 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 3.9" 2.6" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Feb 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Mar 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 9.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 2.2" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.9" 2.4" 1.5" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Osceola 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 ~2,120 GDD — county provides 8,824 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Saint Cloud, FL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 25 Dec 25 – Jan 8
Transplant Outdoors January 22 Jan 22 – Feb 5
Direct Sow January 1 Jan 1 – Jan 22
Harvest March 26 Mar 26 – May 21
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 – Nov 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

332 days in Osceola County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Saint Cloud

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after January 22 in Osceola County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Osceola 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 Osceola County reach 102°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 Saint Cloud, FL?

In Saint Cloud, FL, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around January 22) and before the first frost (around December 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Saint Cloud, FL for Cabbage?

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

Can Cabbage grow in Saint Cloud's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Saint Cloud's temperate climate. Saint Cloud averages a 333-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 22 and first frost around December 20.

🌱

Your Osceola County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Osceola 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Osceola County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.