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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Adams County, OH

Adams County, Ohio Zone 6b May

This month in Adams County, Ohio

A quick May briefing for Adams County, Ohio gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: savoy cabbage

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 22). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

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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.

Adams County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,217 feet, Adams County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Savoy Cabbage during the growing season.

Adams County, OH (Zone 6b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Adams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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 Adams County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.8) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Adams 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 excellent (4.8%) — Savoy Cabbage will thrive.

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 182-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 12.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 683 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Adams 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 ~1,508 GDD — county provides 3,048 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Adams County, OH

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 – Aug 26
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

📆 Growing Season

182 days in Adams County

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Adams County

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after April 22 in Adams 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 Adams County, OH?

Adams County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adams County, OH?

Adams County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 21.

🌱

Your Adams County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Adams County (Zone 6b). 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 Adams County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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