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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Henderson County, TX

Henderson County, Texas Zone 8b May

This month in Henderson County, Texas

Your garden in Henderson County, Texas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost March 9
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Basket week: savoy cabbage

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

Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: savoy cabbage

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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.

Henderson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 290 feet, Henderson County receives approximately 72.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Savoy Cabbage during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Savoy Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savoy Cabbage root diseases.

Henderson County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16
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Henderson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30

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 Henderson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.6) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Henderson County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Savoy Cabbage will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Savoy Cabbage.

How to Plant Savoy 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 Savoy Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 252-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 07.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 10.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 11.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 10.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Henderson 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 needs ~1,710 GDD — county provides 4,788 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Henderson County, TX

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 16
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jul 13
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 – Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

252 days in Henderson County

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Henderson County

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after March 09 in Henderson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Henderson County dries quickly — mulch Savoy Cabbage with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Savoy Cabbage in Henderson County, TX?

Henderson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henderson County, TX?

Henderson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your Henderson County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Henderson County (Zone 8b). 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 Henderson 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.