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When to Plant Cabbage in Ware County, GA

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.

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 482 feet, Ware County receives approximately 56.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Ware County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Ware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 21

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 Ware County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.6) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Ware County is excellent for Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

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

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

Succession Planting Cabbage

5
successive plantings in your 263-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 13.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 โ€” 4.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 3.9" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 5.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Ware County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,700 GDD — county provides 5,588 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Ware County, GA

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jul 1
Fall Sowing September 13 Sep 13 โ€“ Sep 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

263 days in Ware County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Ware County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 04 in Ware County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Ware County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cabbage. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Ware County reach 95ยฐF โ€” 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 Ware County, GA?

Ware County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ware County, GA?

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ware County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Ware County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.