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When to plant Cabbage in Warren County, IL

Warren County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Plant Cabbage between March 30 (after last frost on April 13) and April 20. A second sowing from August 12 to August 26 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Warren County, IL

Cabbage
Warren County, Illinois Zone 5b July

July in Warren County, Illinois — your action list

July is a pivotal month for Warren County, Illinois gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Basket week: cabbage

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

Coming up in August — start thinking about
  • First harvests: cabbage
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Warren County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 801 feet, Warren County receives approximately 36.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Warren County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Warren County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25

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 Warren County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.8) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — 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 191-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 12.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 217 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties 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 ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Warren County, IL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 – Aug 10
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

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

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Warren County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Warren County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 13 in Warren 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Warren County, IL?

Warren County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, IL?

Warren County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Cabbage in Warren County, IL?

In Warren County, IL, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Warren County, IL for Cabbage?

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

Can Cabbage grow in Warren County's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Warren County's temperate climate. Warren County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Warren County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Warren 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 Warren County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.