When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Madison County, MT
Your May game plan for Madison County, Montana
Welcome to May in Zone 5a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
-
Plant savoy cabbage from seed, right in the garden
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
June prep starts now
- Transplants going out: savoy cabbage
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.
Madison County, Montana is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 11 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 94 days.
At an elevation of 6,394 feet, Madison County receives approximately 20.7 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.
Madison County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-8.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Madison County
How your county's soil matches Savoy Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–8.1) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Madison County is excellent for Savoy Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Savoy Cabbage.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Savoy Cabbage.
How to Plant Savoy Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1.7" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.2" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.8" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Madison 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 Planting Timeline — Madison County, MT
Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 7 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 11 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 |
| Direct Sow | May 28 | May 28 – Jun 18 |
| Harvest | August 20 | Aug 20 – Oct 15 |
| Fall Sowing | July 5 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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 5a
📆 Growing Season
94 days in Madison County
Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Madison County
Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after June 11 in Madison County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 94.0-day growing season in Madison County is tight for Savoy Cabbage (70.0-110.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
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.
Madison County receives only 21" 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Savoy Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Savoy Cabbage in Madison County, MT?
Madison County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 11. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Madison County, MT?
Madison County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 11 and first fall frost is September 13.
Your Madison County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Madison County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.