When to Plant Cabbage in Willacy County, TX
Your May planting checklist for Willacy County, Texas
May is a pivotal month for Willacy County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Pick cabbage
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: 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.
Willacy County, Texas is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.
At an elevation of 1,085 feet, Willacy County receives approximately 65.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.
Willacy County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.3
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 Willacy County
How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.3) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Willacy 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 (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.
How to Plant Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Cabbage
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 13 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 27.
Plant Water Budget
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 | 3.9" | 2.3" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Mar | 3.9" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3.9" | 6.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.9" | 9.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.9" | 9.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.9" | 8.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.9" | 6.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3.9" | 3.8" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3.9" | 2.6" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | 3.9" | 1.8" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Willacy 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 — Willacy County, TX
Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 7 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 4 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Direct Sow | January 14 | Jan 14 – Feb 4 |
| Harvest | April 8 | Apr 8 – Jun 3 |
| Fall Sowing | October 27 | Oct 27 – Nov 10 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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
0.9"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
60–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 10a
📆 Growing Season
321 days in Willacy County
Growing Tips for Cabbage in Willacy County
Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after February 04 in Willacy County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Willacy County reach 102°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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cabbage in Willacy County, TX?
Willacy County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of February 4. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Willacy County, TX?
Willacy County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 4 and first fall frost is December 22.
Your Willacy County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Willacy 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.