Blog

When to plant Cabbage in Holmes County County,

In Zone 8b (Holmes County County), direct-sow Cabbage between February 27 and March 20 for spring, after the March 13 last-frost mark. A second sowing from September 2 to September 16 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Holmes County, MS

Cabbage
Holmes County, Mississippi Zone 8b June

Top priorities for Holmes County, Mississippi gardeners in June

A quick June briefing for Holmes County, Mississippi gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 13
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for cabbage

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

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: cabbage

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Holmes County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 208 feet, Holmes County receives approximately 53.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Holmes County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Holmes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 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 Holmes County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.4) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 243-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.9" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Holmes 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 ~1,520 GDD — county provides 4,617 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Holmes County, MS

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 20
Harvest May 15 May 15 – Jul 10
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 – Sep 16

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Holmes County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Holmes County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 13 in Holmes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Holmes County's clay soil (28% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cabbage. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Holmes County reach 92°F — grow Cabbage as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

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 Holmes County, MS?

Holmes County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Holmes County, MS?

Holmes County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 11.

When should I plant Cabbage in Holmes County County, ?

In Holmes County County, , plant Cabbage after the last frost (around March 13) and before the first frost (around November 11). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Holmes County County, for Cabbage?

Holmes County County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Holmes County County's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Holmes County County's temperate climate. Holmes County County averages a 243-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 13 and first frost around November 11.

🌱

Your Holmes County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Holmes County (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 Holmes County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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