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When to Plant Cabbage in Marion County, MS

Marion County, Mississippi Zone 8b May

Top priorities for Marion County, Mississippi gardeners in May

Welcome to May in Zone 8b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 8
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Collect cabbage at their peak

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

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Marion County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 257 days.

At an elevation of 330 feet, Marion County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91°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.

Marion County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
257 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
257 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Cabbage to Grow

2-4 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 cabbage plants in about 24 sq ft. In Marion County's 257-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Cabbage

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 Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Marion County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Marion County, MS

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Direct Sow February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 15
Harvest May 10 May 10 – Jul 5
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 – Sep 25

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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

257 days in Marion County

Growing Tips for Marion County

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 Marion County, MS?

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

What planting zone is Marion County, MS?

Marion County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Your Marion County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Marion 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.

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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 Marion County, MS. 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.