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When to plant Cabbage in Crow Wing County, MN

For Cabbage in Crow Wing County, the safe spring window opens around April 28 and closes around May 19. Last expected frost is May 5, first fall frost October 3, giving a 151-day growing season. A second sowing from July 11 to July 25 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Crow Wing County, MN

Cabbage
Crow Wing County, Minnesota Zone 4a June

June in the garden — Crow Wing County, Minnesota

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 5
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 61°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Get cabbage seeds going inside

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: cabbage
  • Fall sowing: cabbage

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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.

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 783 feet, Crow Wing County receives approximately 33.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Crow Wing County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Crow Wing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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 Crow Wing County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.7) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Crow Wing County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — 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 151-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 11.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 3.2" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.8" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Crow Wing County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~680 GDD — county provides 1,283 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Crow Wing County, MN

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 – May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 – May 19
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 – Sep 1
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 – Jul 25

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

151 days in Crow Wing County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Crow Wing County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 05 in Crow Wing 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 Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Cabbage in Crow Wing County, MN?

In Crow Wing County, MN, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around May 5) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Crow Wing County, MN for Cabbage?

Crow Wing County sits in USDA Zone 4a. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Crow Wing County's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Crow Wing County's temperate climate. Crow Wing County averages a 151-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 5 and first frost around October 3.

🌱

Your Crow Wing County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Crow Wing County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Crow Wing County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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