Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Burnett County, WI

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.

Burnett County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 574 feet, Burnett County receives approximately 30.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Burnett County, WI (Zone 3b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Burnett County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 422 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~740 GDD — county provides 1,248 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Burnett County, WI

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Jul 19
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 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 3b

Growing Season

135 days

Growing Tips for Burnett 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 Burnett County, WI?

Burnett County is in Zone 3b 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 Burnett County, WI?

Burnett County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Burnett County gardeners in Zone 3b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Burnett County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.