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When to Plant Cabbage in Kingsbury 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.

Kingsbury County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 958 feet, Kingsbury County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Kingsbury County, SD (Zone 4a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Kingsbury County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 308 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~980 GDD — county provides 1,849 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Kingsbury County, SD

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 3

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 Direct Sow
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 4a

Growing Season

151 days

Growing Tips for Kingsbury 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 Kingsbury County, SD?

Kingsbury County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kingsbury County, SD?

Kingsbury County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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