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When to Plant Cabbage in Allegan County, MI

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.

Allegan County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 1,257 feet, Allegan County receives approximately 37.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Allegan County, MI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Allegan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 67 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,392 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Allegan County, MI

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Aug 19
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

165 days

Growing Tips for Allegan County

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Allegan County, MI?

Allegan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Allegan County, MI?

Allegan County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Allegan County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Allegan County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.