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When to plant Cabbage in Mazon,

For Mazon, gardeners: plant Cabbage April 6 through April 27 once soil reads 50°F. A second sowing from August 8 to August 22 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Mazon, IL

Cabbage
Mazon, IL Zone 5b June

Your June gardening checklist

Welcome to June in Zone 5b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 20
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15 hrs
  1. Basket week: cabbage

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

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.

Mazon, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 629 feet, Grundy County receives approximately 30.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Mazon, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17
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Mazon Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5

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 Mazon

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.0) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 180-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

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 376 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 3.2" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 2.7" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Grundy 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 ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,475 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Mazon, IL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 27
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 – Aug 17
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
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 5b

📆 Growing Season

180 days in Grundy County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Mazon

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 20 in Grundy 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 Mazon, ?

In Mazon, , plant Cabbage after the last frost (around April 20) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Mazon, for Cabbage?

Mazon sits in USDA Zone 5b. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Mazon's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Mazon's temperate climate. Mazon averages a 180-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 20 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Grundy County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Grundy County (Zone 5b). 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 Grundy County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.