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When to Plant Cabbage in Greenbrier County, WV

Greenbrier County, West Virginia Zone 6b May

This month in Greenbrier County, West Virginia

Here's what deserves your attention in Greenbrier County, West Virginia this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 3
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Set out cabbage seedlings

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Greenbrier County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 3,189 feet, Greenbrier County receives approximately 50.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt 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.

Greenbrier County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Greenbrier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18

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 Greenbrier County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 167-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

Plant Water Budget

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

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 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Greenbrier 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 3,047 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Greenbrier County, WV

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 – Aug 30
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

167 days in Greenbrier County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Greenbrier County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 03 in Greenbrier County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Greenbrier 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 Greenbrier County, WV?

Greenbrier County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greenbrier County, WV?

Greenbrier County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Your Greenbrier County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Greenbrier County (Zone 6b). 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 Greenbrier County, WV. 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.