When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Grafton County, NH
Top priorities for Grafton County, New Hampshire gardeners in May
Each item below is timed to Grafton County, New Hampshire's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Move savoy cabbage into the garden
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
Get ahead of June
- Starting indoors: 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.
Grafton County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.
At an elevation of 524 feet, Grafton County receives approximately 44.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savoy Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.
Grafton County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.3
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 Grafton County
How your county's soil matches Savoy Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.3) is more acidic than Savoy Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Grafton County is excellent for Savoy Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). 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.
Succession Planting Savoy Cabbage
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 19 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 29.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Grafton 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 — Grafton County, NH
Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 12 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Direct Sow | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 19 |
| Harvest | July 21 | Jul 21 – Sep 15 |
| Fall Sowing | July 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
70–110 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
148 days in Grafton County
Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Grafton County
Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after May 12 in Grafton 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
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Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Savoy Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Savoy Cabbage in Grafton County, NH?
Grafton County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Grafton County, NH?
Grafton County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.
Your Grafton County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Grafton 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.