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When to Plant Cabbage in Catron County, NM

Cabbage

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.

Catron County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 111 days.

At an elevation of 8,232 feet, Catron County receives approximately 10.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Catron County, NM (Zone 6a) Short season
111 days
Last Spring Frost June 3
111 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Catron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

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 Catron County's 111-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Catron County, NM

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 29 Apr 29 – May 13
Transplant Outdoors June 3 Jun 3 – Jun 17
Direct Sow May 20 May 20 – Jun 10
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 – Sep 30
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 – Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

111 days in Catron County

Growing Tips for Catron 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 Catron County, NM?

Catron County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 3. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Catron County, NM?

Catron County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 3 and first fall frost is September 22.

🌱

Your Catron County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Catron 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.

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 Catron County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.