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When to plant Cabbage in Saint Libory,

Spring Cabbage in Saint Libory goes in March 19–April 9, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from August 24 to September 7 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Saint Libory, IL

Cabbage
Saint Libory, IL Zone 7a June

Your June game plan for Saint Libory, IL

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Saint Libory, IL.

Avg. last frost April 2
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Collect cabbage at their peak

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

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • 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.

Saint Libory, Illinois is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 711 feet, St. Clair County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Saint Libory, IL (Zone 7a) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
214 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2
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Saint Libory Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14

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 Saint Libory

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.3) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — 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

4
successive plantings in your 214-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 24.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 527 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 3.2" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 3.8" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 3.8" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.5" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.9" 2.4" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in St. Clair 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 ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,584 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Saint Libory, IL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 9
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 – Jul 30
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 – Sep 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

214 days in St. Clair County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Saint Libory

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 02 in St. Clair 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 Saint Libory, ?

In Saint Libory, , plant Cabbage after the last frost (around April 2) and before the first frost (around November 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Saint Libory, for Cabbage?

Saint Libory sits in USDA Zone 7a. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Saint Libory's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Saint Libory's temperate climate. Saint Libory averages a 214-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 2 and first frost around November 2.

🌱

Your St. Clair County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for St. Clair County (Zone 7a). 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 St. Clair County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.