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When to Plant Cabbage in Waseca County, MN

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.

Waseca County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 1,346 feet, Waseca County receives approximately 34.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Waseca County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Waseca County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

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 Waseca County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0โ€“6.8) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Waseca County is excellent for Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Cabbage will thrive.

How to Plant Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

3
successive plantings in your 159-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 14.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 ~860 GDD — county provides 1,709 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Waseca County, MN

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

159 days in Waseca County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Waseca County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 30 in Waseca County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Waseca County, MN?

Waseca County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Waseca County, MN?

Waseca County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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