Blog

When to plant Savoy Cabbage in Custer County County,

Custer County County's climate puts the Savoy Cabbage spring window between May 7 and May 28. be cautious and check the 10-day forecast before planting tender crops. A second sowing from July 5 to July 19 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Custer County, MT

Custer County, Montana Zone 4b June

Top priorities for Custer County, Montana gardeners in June

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

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost September 27
Soil temp (4") 45°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Time to start savoy cabbage inside

    Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.

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

Custer County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 5,983 feet, Custer County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savoy Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Custer County, MT (Zone 4b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27
Share this guide:

Custer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Savoy Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28

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 Custer County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.1) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Savoy Cabbage.

How to Plant Savoy Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Savoy Cabbage

2
successive plantings in your 136-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 05.

Savoy Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 376 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Custer 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 ~900 GDD — county provides 1,360 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Custer County, MT

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 – May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 – May 28
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Sep 17
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 – Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

136 days in Custer County

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Custer County

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after May 14 in Custer 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.

Custer County receives only 24" of rain annually. Savoy Cabbage needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Custer County, MT?

Custer County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Custer County, MT?

Custer County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 27.

When should I plant Savoy Cabbage in Custer County County, ?

In Custer County County, , plant Savoy Cabbage after the last frost (around May 14) and before the first frost (around September 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Custer County County, for Savoy Cabbage?

Custer County County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Savoy Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Savoy Cabbage grow in Custer County County's climate?

Yes — Savoy Cabbage grows well in Custer County County's temperate climate. Custer County County averages a 136-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 14 and first frost around September 27.

🌱

Your Custer County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Custer County (Zone 4b). 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 Custer County, MT. 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.