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When to Plant Cabbage in Foard County, TX

Foard County, Texas Zone 8a May

May to-do list for Foard County, Texas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Foard County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 24
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Bring in the cabbage

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: cabbage

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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.

Foard County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 1,496 feet, Foard County receives approximately 57.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Foard County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Foard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9

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 Foard County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.3) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Foard County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant 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 Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 232-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 315 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Apr 3.9" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 8.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 2.1" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Foard 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 needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 4,234 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Foard County, TX

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 31
Harvest May 26 May 26 – Jul 21
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 – Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

232 days in Foard County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Foard County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 24 in Foard County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Foard County reach 91°F — grow Cabbage as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

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

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Foard County, TX?

Foard County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Foard County, TX?

Foard County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your Foard County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Foard County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Foard County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.