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When to plant Cabbage in Romulus, MI

Plant Cabbage in Romulus from April 14 to May 5 in spring. Romulus sits in USDA Zone 6b, with last frost around April 28 and first frost on October 20. A second sowing from August 11 to August 25 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Romulus, MI

Cabbage
Wayne County, Michigan Zone 6b June

Your June game plan for Wayne County, Michigan

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

Avg. last frost April 28
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.1 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: cabbage

    You're about 17 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. Pick cabbage

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: 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.

Romulus, Michigan is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,066 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Romulus, MI (Zone 6b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Romulus Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 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 Romulus

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.9) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Cabbage will thrive.

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 175-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 11.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 548 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.6" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wayne 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 3,193 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Romulus, MI

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 – May 5
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 – Aug 25
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

175 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Romulus

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 28 in Wayne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Wayne 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 →

When should I plant Cabbage in Romulus, MI?

In Romulus, MI, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around April 28) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Romulus, MI for Cabbage?

Romulus sits in USDA Zone 6b. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Romulus's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Romulus's temperate climate. Romulus averages a 175-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 28 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Wayne County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wayne 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wayne County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.