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When to Plant Cabbage in Luce 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.

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 1,157 feet, Luce County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Luce County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
134 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Luce County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 5

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 1,742 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Luce County, MI

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 5
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 5
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

134 days

Growing Tips for Luce 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Luce County, MI?

Luce County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Luce County, MI?

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Luce County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Luce County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.