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When to Plant Cabbage in Eau Claire 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.

Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 674 feet, Eau Claire County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Eau Claire County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Eau Claire 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 (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 130 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~800 GDD — county provides 1,460 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Eau Claire County, WI

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Sep 6

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
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

146 days

Growing Tips for Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County, WI?

Eau Claire County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Eau Claire County, WI?

Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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