Blog

When to plant Cabbage in Fillmore County, MN

Cabbage planted in Fillmore County between April 26 and May 17 matures in 60–100 days — well before the October 6 first frost. A second sowing from July 14 to July 28 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Fillmore County, MN

Cabbage
Fillmore County, Minnesota Zone 4b July

Your July planting checklist for Fillmore County, Minnesota

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Fillmore County, Minnesota this July and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 3
Avg. first frost October 6
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Collect cabbage at their peak

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

  2. Direct-sow cabbage for cool weather

    Your first frost is about 10 weeks away — plenty of time for these to mature.

Looking ahead to August
  • First harvests: cabbage

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Fillmore County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 870 feet, Fillmore County receives approximately 37.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Fillmore County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Fillmore County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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 Fillmore County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.3) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — 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

3
successive plantings in your 156-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 14.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 3.8" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Fillmore 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 ~860 GDD — county provides 1,677 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Fillmore County, MN

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 – May 17
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 – Aug 30
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 – Jul 28

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
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 4b

📆 Growing Season

156 days in Fillmore County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Fillmore County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 03 in Fillmore 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 Fillmore County, MN?

Fillmore County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fillmore County, MN?

Fillmore County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 6.

When should I plant Cabbage in Fillmore County, MN?

In Fillmore County, MN, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around May 3) and before the first frost (around October 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fillmore County, MN for Cabbage?

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

Can Cabbage grow in Fillmore County's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Fillmore County's temperate climate. Fillmore County averages a 156-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 3 and first frost around October 6.

🌱

Your Fillmore County Garden Planner — Free

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

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.