Blog

When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Morehouse Parish, LA

Morehouse Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

Your May gardening checklist

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Morehouse Parish, Louisiana this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 9
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Collect savoy cabbage at their peak

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: savoy cabbage

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Morehouse Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 251 days.

At an elevation of 476 feet, Morehouse Parish receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Savoy Cabbage during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savoy Cabbage root diseases.

Morehouse Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
251 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
251 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15
Share this guide:

Morehouse Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11

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 Morehouse Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.3) is within Savoy Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Morehouse Parish is excellent for Savoy Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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.

Succession Planting Savoy Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 251-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 06.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 264 gal / 100 sq ft

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 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Morehouse Parish). 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 ~1,642 GDD — county provides 4,580 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Morehouse Parish, LA

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 16
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jul 13
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 – Sep 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

251 days in Morehouse Parish

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Morehouse Parish

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after March 09 in Morehouse Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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.

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 Morehouse Parish, LA?

Morehouse Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morehouse Parish, LA?

Morehouse Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Morehouse Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Morehouse Parish (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Morehouse Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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