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When to Plant Cabbage in Bacon County, GA

Bacon County, Georgia Zone 9a May

May in the garden — Bacon County, Georgia

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Bacon County, Georgia this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 11
Avg. first frost November 19
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Bring in the cabbage

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

To set up a strong June, 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.

Bacon County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 165 feet, Bacon County receives approximately 58.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Bacon County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19
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Bacon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25

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 Bacon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help 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

5
successive plantings in your 253-day season

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

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Bacon 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 ~1,760 GDD — county provides 5,566 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Bacon County, GA

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 11
Harvest May 13 May 13 – Jul 8
Fall Sowing September 24 Sep 24 – Oct 8

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 Fall Sowing
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

253 days in Bacon County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Bacon County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 11 in Bacon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Bacon County's clay soil (26% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cabbage. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Bacon County reach 96°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 Bacon County, GA?

Bacon County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bacon County, GA?

Bacon County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 19.

🌱

Your Bacon County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Bacon County (Zone 9a). 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 Bacon County, GA. 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.