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When to plant Cabbage in Dix,

Plant Cabbage in Dix, when soil hits 50°F — usually March 26. Continue planting through April 16 for the spring crop. A second sowing from August 11 to August 25 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Dix, IL

Cabbage
Dix, IL Zone 6b June

What to do in June

A quick June briefing for Dix, IL gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Collect cabbage at their peak

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Dix, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 509 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Dix, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20
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Dix Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16

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 Dix

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.1) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Cabbage will thrive.

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

3
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 11.

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 340 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 3.2" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 3.8" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.9" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Jefferson 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 ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,104 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Dix, IL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Aug 6
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Jefferson County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Dix

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 09 in Jefferson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Dix, ?

In Dix, , plant Cabbage after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dix, for Cabbage?

Dix sits in USDA Zone 6b. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Dix's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Dix's temperate climate. Dix averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Jefferson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jefferson County (Zone 6b). 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 Jefferson County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.