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When to Plant Cabbage in Price 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.

Price County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 1,325 feet, Price County receives approximately 41.5 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.

Price County, WI (Zone 3b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Price County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 13
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.

Soil Compatibility in Price County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9โ€“7.3) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) 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

2
successive plantings in your 135-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 21 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 07.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/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

Monthly Watering Guide for Cabbage

Cabbage needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 3.9" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 5.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Price County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cabbage Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cabbage needs ~800 GDD — county provides 1,350 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Price County, WI

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 31
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 13
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Jul 21

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

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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 3b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

135 days in Price County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Price County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 17 in Price 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Price County, WI?

Price County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Price County, WI?

Price County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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