Best Time To Plant Cabbage In Missouri

Missouri cabbage grows best when planted in April, balancing cool weather with adequate growing time. Knowing the best time to plant cabbage in missouri is key to getting a good harvest. This guide gives you exact dates and steps for spring and fall crops.

Cabbage loves cool weather. It gets bitter and bolts when it gets too hot. In Missouri, you have two main planting windows: early spring for a summer harvest, and mid-summer for a fall harvest. Let’s break down each season.

The best time to plant cabbage in missouri depends on your specific zone. Missouri spans USDA hardiness zones 5b to 7a. Northern areas are cooler, southern areas are warmer. This affects your planting calendar.

Spring Planting Dates By Zone

For spring cabbage, you want to plant 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. In Missouri, the last frost typically happens between mid-April and early May.

Zone 5b (Northern Missouri): Plant transplants outdoors around April 1 to April 15. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks earlier, around mid-February.
Zone 6a (Central Missouri): Plant transplants outdoors around March 25 to April 10. Start seeds indoors around early February.
Zone 6b/7a (Southern Missouri): Plant transplants outdoors around March 15 to April 1. Start seeds indoors around late January.

Check your local frost dates. A light frost won’t hurt cabbage seedlings. In fact, a little cold can make them sweeter. But a hard freeze below 25°F can damage young plants.

Fall Planting Dates

Fall cabbage is often easier. You plant it in mid-summer so it matures during the cool autumn weather. The key is to plant so the cabbage heads form before the first hard frost.

Zone 5b: Plant seeds directly in the garden around July 15 to August 1. Or set out transplants around August 1 to August 15.
Zone 6a: Plant seeds directly around July 20 to August 5. Transplants go out around August 5 to August 20.
Zone 6b/7a: Plant seeds directly around August 1 to August 15. Transplants go out around August 15 to September 1.

Fall cabbage often tastes better because the cooler weather increases sugar content. Plus, pests like cabbage worms are less active later in the season.

Soil Temperature Matters

Cabbage seeds germinate best when soil temperature is between 45°F and 85°F. The sweet spot is 70°F. If the soil is too cold, seeds rot. If it’s too hot, germination fails.

Use a soil thermometer to check. For spring planting, wait until the soil is at least 40°F. For fall planting, make sure the soil isn’t above 85°F. Water the soil well before planting to cool it down.

How To Plant Cabbage For Best Results

Now that you know the best time to plant cabbage in missouri, let’s talk about how to do it right. Good preparation makes a big difference.

Choose The Right Variety

Some cabbage varieties do better in Missouri’s climate. Here are a few reliable choices:

Early Jersey Wakefield: Heirloom variety, matures in 63 days. Great for spring planting.
Stonehead: Hybrid, early maturing (65 days). Very reliable and disease resistant.
Red Acre: Red cabbage, matures in 75 days. Good for both spring and fall.
Savoy King: Savoy type, matures in 85 days. Tolerates heat better than most.
Brunswick: Heirloom, late maturing (90 days). Excellent for fall harvest and storage.

For spring, choose early maturing varieties. For fall, you can use longer-season types because the weather stays cool longer.

Prepare The Soil

Cabbage needs rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Test your soil before planting. Add lime if the pH is too low.

Clear the area of weeds and debris.
Dig in 2-3 inches of compost or well-rotted manure.
Add a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 at a rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet.
Rake the bed smooth.

Cabbage is a heavy feeder. It needs plenty of nitrogen for leaf growth. Side-dress with compost tea or a nitrogen-rich fertilizer three weeks after transplanting.

Planting Steps

Follow these steps for healthy cabbage plants:

Space properly: Plant cabbage 12-24 inches apart in rows spaced 24-36 inches apart. Closer spacing gives smaller heads, wider spacing gives larger heads.
Plant deep: Bury the stem up to the first set of true leaves. This encourages strong root growth.
Water well: Give each plant a good soak after planting. Keep the soil consistently moist, not soggy.
Mulch: Apply a 2-inch layer of straw or shredded leaves around the plants. This keeps soil cool and moist.

Caring For Your Cabbage Plants

Once planted, cabbage needs regular care. Here’s what to focus on.

Watering

Cabbage needs about 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Inconsistent watering causes heads to split. Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells.

Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to keep water off the leaves. Wet leaves invite disease. Water in the morning so foliage dries quickly.

Fertilizing

Feed cabbage every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer or one high in nitrogen. Stop fertilizing once heads start to form.

Apply a side-dressing of 21-0-0 fertilizer at a rate of 1 cup per 10 feet of row.
Alternatively, use fish emulsion or compost tea every two weeks.

Pest And Disease Control

Cabbage faces several pests in Missouri. The most common are:

Cabbage worms: Small green caterpillars that eat leaves. Use row covers or spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).
Aphids: Tiny insects that suck sap. Blast them off with water or use insecticidal soap.
Slugs and snails: They chew holes in leaves. Use beer traps or diatomaceous earth.
Flea beetles: Small jumping beetles that make tiny holes. Use row covers or neem oil.

Rotate crops each year. Don’t plant cabbage in the same spot where other brassicas (broccoli, kale, cauliflower) grew the previous year. This prevents soil-borne diseases.

Common Problems

Here are issues you might see and how to fix them:

Splitting heads: Caused by uneven watering. Keep soil consistently moist.
Bolting (going to seed): Caused by heat stress. Plant at the right time and use shade cloth if needed.
Yellow leaves: Usually a sign of nitrogen deficiency. Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Stunted growth: Could be from compacted soil or root damage. Loosen soil and avoid disturbing roots.

Harvesting Cabbage

Knowing when to harvest is as important as knowing the best time to plant cabbage in missouri. Harvest at the right time for best flavor and texture.

When To Harvest

Cabbage is ready to harvest when the head feels firm when squeezed. It should be solid, not spongy. The head size varies by variety, but most are ready 70-100 days after planting.

Spring cabbage: Harvest in June or July before temperatures get too hot.
Fall cabbage: Harvest in October or November before a hard freeze.

Don’t wait too long. Overripe cabbage heads split open. If you see cracks, harvest immediately.

How To Harvest

Use a sharp knife to cut the head at the base, leaving a few outer leaves attached. These leaves protect the head during storage.

After cutting the main head, leave the stalk in the ground. It may produce smaller side heads that you can harvest later. This is called “cut-and-come-again” harvesting.

Storing Cabbage

Cabbage stores well for weeks if kept cool and humid. Here’s how:

Refrigerate whole heads in a plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.
Store in a root cellar at 32-40°F with high humidity for 3-4 months.
Do not wash cabbage before storing. Moisture causes rot.

Tips For Success In Missouri

Missouri’s weather can be unpredictable. Here are extra tips to help your cabbage thrive.

Deal With Heat Waves

Spring can suddenly turn hot. If a heat wave hits when your cabbage is maturing, provide shade. Use shade cloth or plant taller crops like corn on the south side of your cabbage patch.

Water deeply in the morning. Mulch heavily to keep roots cool. Harvest immediately if heads start to split.

Extend The Season

Use row covers to protect plants from early frosts in spring or fall. This can give you an extra 2-3 weeks of growing time.

For fall cabbage, consider planting in a cold frame. This protects against hard freezes and allows you to harvest into December.

Succession Planting

Plant a few cabbage plants every 2-3 weeks instead of all at once. This gives you a continuous harvest instead of one big glut. Start with early varieties, then mid-season, then late-season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common questions about planting cabbage in Missouri.

Can I Plant Cabbage In Missouri In August?

Yes, for a fall harvest. Plant seeds in early August for zones 5b and 6a, or mid-August for zone 7a. Choose fast-maturing varieties that can handle the heat.

What Is The Best Cabbage Variety For Missouri?

Stonehead and Early Jersey Wakefield are top choices for spring. Brunswick and Savoy King work well for fall. All are reliable in Missouri’s climate.

How Late Can I Plant Cabbage In Missouri For Fall?

You can plant transplants up to 6 weeks before the first expected frost. For most of Missouri, that’s mid-August to early September. Check your local frost date.

Do I Need To Start Cabbage Indoors In Missouri?

For spring, yes. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. For fall, you can direct seed or use transplants. Direct seeding is easier for fall.

Why Is My Cabbage Not Forming Heads In Missouri?

This is usually due to heat stress, too much nitrogen, or insufficient spacing. Make sure plants get consistent moisture and are not crowded. Use varieties suited to your planting time.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the best time to plant cabbage in missouri gives you a huge advantage. Spring planting in April and fall planting in July or August are your windows. Pay attention to your specific zone and local weather patterns.

Prepare your soil well, water consistently, and watch for pests. With a little care, you’ll get firm, sweet cabbage heads that taste far better than store-bought. Start planning your planting dates now, and enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Remember, cabbage is forgiving. Even if you miss the ideal window by a week or two, you can still get a good crop. The key is to avoid extreme heat and give the plants enough time to mature. Happy gardening in the Show-Me State.