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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Oneida County, ID

Oneida County, Idaho Zone 6a May

Your May gardening checklist

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 23
Avg. first frost September 20
Soil temp (4") 33°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant savoy cabbage

    Your last frost (May 23) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

  2. Direct-sow savoy cabbage

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Oneida County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 120 days.

At an elevation of 8,042 feet, Oneida County receives approximately 18.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Savoy Cabbage during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savoy Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Oneida County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
120 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
120 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Oneida County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 11 Transplant: Jun 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Oct 19

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 Oneida County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–8.2) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Oneida 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 (2.6%). 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 841 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Oneida 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 ~1,238 GDD — county provides 1,650 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Oneida County, ID

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Transplant Outdoors May 23 May 23 – Jun 6
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 – May 30
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 – Sep 26
Fall Sowing July 12 Jul 12 – Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 6a

📆 Growing Season

120 days in Oneida County

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Oneida County

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after May 23 in Oneida County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 120.0-day growing season in Oneida 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.

Oneida County receives only 18" 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 Oneida County, ID?

Oneida County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oneida County, ID?

Oneida County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 20.

🌱

Your Oneida County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Oneida County (Zone 6a). 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 Oneida County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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