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When to Plant Cabbage in Fall River County, SD

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.

Fall River County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,056 feet, Fall River County receives approximately 25.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Fall River County, SD (Zone 4b) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Fall River County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 356 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cabbage needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 1,820 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Fall River County, SD

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Jul 23
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 10

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

140 days

Growing Tips for Fall River 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 Fall River County, SD?

Fall River County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fall River County, SD?

Fall River County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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