When to Plant Cabbage in Tioga County, PA
Your May game plan for Tioga County, Pennsylvania
Here's what deserves your attention in Tioga County, Pennsylvania this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Plant out cabbage
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- Starting indoors: 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.
Tioga County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 149 days.
At an elevation of 74 feet, Tioga County receives approximately 44.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.
Tioga County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
4.8-6.4
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 Tioga County
How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.8–6.4) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Tioga County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). 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 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 31.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.9" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.9" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.9" | 3.8" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.9" | 3.7" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.9" | 3.4" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Tioga 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 — Tioga County, PA
Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 13 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Direct Sow | April 29 | Apr 29 – May 20 |
| Harvest | July 15 | Jul 15 – Sep 9 |
| Fall Sowing | July 31 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
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
0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
149 days in Tioga County
Growing Tips for Cabbage in Tioga County
Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 13 in Tioga 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.
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 Tioga County, PA?
Tioga County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Tioga County, PA?
Tioga County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 9.
Your Tioga County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Tioga 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.