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When to Plant Cabbage in Oceana 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.

Oceana County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 503 feet, Oceana County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Oceana County, MI (Zone 5b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Oceana County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 24 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25

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
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 46 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,102 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Oceana County, MI

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Direct Sow May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 22
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 12
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Sep 11

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 โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 5b

Growing Season

145 days

Growing Tips for Oceana 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 Oceana County, MI?

Oceana County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oceana County, MI?

Oceana County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Oceana 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 Oceana County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.