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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Osage County, MO

Osage County, Missouri Zone 6a April

This month in Osage County, Missouri

April rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Osage County, Missouri.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 30
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant savoy cabbage

    Frost risk is low now in Osage County, Missouri. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

Coming up in May — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: savoy cabbage

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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.

Osage County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 1,300 feet, Osage County receives approximately 38.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Savoy Cabbage during the growing season.

Osage County, MO (Zone 6a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Osage County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22

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 Osage County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.7) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 207-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 21.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 396 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Osage County). 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 ~1,575 GDD — county provides 3,622 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Osage County, MO

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 13
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 – Aug 10
Fall Sowing August 21 Aug 21 – Sep 4

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 Fall Sowing
October
November
December

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

207 days in Osage County

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Osage County

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after April 06 in Osage County 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 Osage County, MO?

Osage County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Osage County, MO?

Osage County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 30.

🌱

Your Osage County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Osage County (Zone 6a). 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 Osage County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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