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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Taylor County, WI

Napa cabbage forms tall, barrel-shaped heads with tender, crinkled leaves and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It is the primary cabbage used for kimchi.

Taylor County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 632 feet, Taylor County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Napa Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Taylor County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Taylor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 25

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
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 685 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Napa Cabbage needs ~650 GDD — county provides 1,360 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Taylor County, WI

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 โ€“ May 30
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 30
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Jul 21
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Aug 15

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 โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

55โ€“75 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4a

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Taylor County

Best grown as a fall crop. Direct sow in late summer, 60-70 days before first frost. Keep soil evenly moist. Bolt-resistant varieties are available for spring planting.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Napa Cabbage in Taylor County, WI?

Taylor County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Taylor County, WI?

Taylor County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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