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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Progreso, TX

Hidalgo County, Texas Zone 10a July

Your July gardening checklist

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this July, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost February 6
Avg. first frost December 18
Soil temp (4") 86°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Plan the fall garden

    Make a planting map for August. Tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, lettuce, root crops all go in over the next 8 weeks. Soil amendments and irrigation prep happen now.

  2. Keep heat-survivor crops productive

    Daily harvest of okra and southern peas keeps plants producing. Let pods over-mature and the plant stops setting new fruit.

  3. Watch for hurricane prep season

    August-October is hurricane season. Stake young trees, secure rain barrels, and plan how to protect tender transplants from high winds.

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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.

Progreso, Texas is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 6 and the first fall frost is December 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 315 days.

At an elevation of 4,081 feet, Hidalgo County receives approximately 67 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Savoy Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savoy Cabbage root diseases.

Progreso, TX (Zone 10a) Year-round
315 days
Last Spring Frost February 6
315 growing days
First Fall Frost December 18

Progreso Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Savoy Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (202 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 21 Transplant: Jan 18 🍅 Harvest: Mar 29 – May 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 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 Progreso

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.8) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Savoy Cabbage.

How to Plant Savoy Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Savoy Cabbage

5
successive plantings in your 315-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 23.

Savoy Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 308 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 10.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Hidalgo 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 ~2,250 GDD — county provides 7,900 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Progreso, TX

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 9 Jan 9 – Jan 23
Transplant Outdoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Direct Sow January 16 Jan 16 – Feb 6
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 – Jun 12
Fall Sowing October 23 Oct 23 – Nov 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

315 days in Hidalgo County

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Progreso

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after February 06 in Hidalgo County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 100°F in Hidalgo County, provide afternoon shade for Savoy Cabbage and water deeply in the morning.

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 →

🌱

Your Hidalgo County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hidalgo County (Zone 10a). 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 Hidalgo County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.