When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Polk County, TN
What to do in May
Your garden in Polk County, Tennessee is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Time to start savoy cabbage inside
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.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: savoy cabbage
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.
Polk County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.
At an elevation of 1,255 feet, Polk County receives approximately 43.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Savoy Cabbage during the growing season.
Polk County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.5
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 Polk County
How your county's soil matches Savoy Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) is more acidic than Savoy Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Polk 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 moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Savoy Cabbage.
How to Plant Savoy Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Savoy Cabbage
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 10.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Polk 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 Planting Timeline — Polk County, TN
Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 19 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Direct Sow | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 26 |
| Harvest | June 28 | Jun 28 – Aug 23 |
| Fall Sowing | August 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
70–110 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
183 days in Polk County
Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Polk County
Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after April 19 in Polk 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
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Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Savoy Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Savoy Cabbage in Polk County, TN?
Polk County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Polk County, TN?
Polk County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 19.
Your Polk County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Polk 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.