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When to Plant Cabbage in Presque Isle 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.

Presque Isle County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 1,392 feet, Presque Isle County receives approximately 41 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.

Presque Isle County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Presque Isle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 28 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 6

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
Cabbage needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 1,885 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Presque Isle County, MI

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 31
Fall Sowing July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Jul 31
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 13

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 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

145 days

Growing Tips for Presque Isle 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 Presque Isle County, MI?

Presque Isle County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Presque Isle County, MI?

Presque Isle County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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