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When to Plant Cabbage in Lake County, OH

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.

Lake County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 740 feet, Lake County receives approximately 35.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Lake County, OH (Zone 7a) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

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 Lake County's 161-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Cabbage

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 Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lake County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Lake County, OH

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 – May 19
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 – May 12
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 – Sep 1
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 – Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 7a

📆 Growing Season

161 days in Lake County

Growing Tips for Lake 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 Lake County, OH?

Lake County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake County, OH?

Lake County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 13.

🌱

Your Lake County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lake County (Zone 7a). 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 Lake County, OH. 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.