When to Plant Cabbage in McIntosh County, OK
McIntosh County, Oklahoma gardeners: here's your May plan
Each item below is timed to McIntosh County, Oklahoma's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: cabbage
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
Get ahead of June
- First harvests: 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.
McIntosh County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.
At an elevation of 586 feet, McIntosh County receives approximately 23.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.
McIntosh County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.7
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 McIntosh County
How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.7) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in McIntosh County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.
How to Plant Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Cabbage
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 23.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Cabbage
Cabbage needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Cabbage Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.9" | 2.5" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3.9" | 3.2" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3.9" | 3.6" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 3.9" | 3.4" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3.9" | 2.9" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.9" | 2.2" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.9" | 1.4" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 3.9" | 0.9" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in McIntosh County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
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.
Cabbage Planting Timeline — McIntosh County, OK
Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 26 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Direct Sow | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 9 |
| Harvest | June 4 | Jun 4 – Jul 30 |
| Fall Sowing | August 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.9"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
60–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
213 days in McIntosh County
Growing Tips for Cabbage in McIntosh County
Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 02 in McIntosh County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
McIntosh County receives only 24" of rain annually. 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. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent heads from splitting.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cabbage in McIntosh County, OK?
McIntosh County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is McIntosh County, OK?
McIntosh County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 1.
Your McIntosh County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for McIntosh County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.