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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Roseau County, MN

Roseau County, Minnesota Zone 3b May

Top priorities for Roseau County, Minnesota gardeners in May

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

Avg. last frost May 21
Avg. first frost September 22
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 15 hrs
  1. Plant out savoy cabbage

    Frost risk is low now in Roseau County, Minnesota. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

  2. Put savoy cabbage seeds straight in the ground

    Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • Fall sowing: savoy cabbage

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Savoy cabbage has crinkled, deeply veined leaves that form looser heads than regular cabbage. It has a milder, sweeter flavor and is more cold-tolerant.

Roseau County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 124 days.

At an elevation of 655 feet, Roseau County receives approximately 32 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savoy Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Roseau County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
124 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
124 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22
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Roseau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 23 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 8

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 Roseau County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–7.2) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — Savoy Cabbage will thrive.

How to Plant Savoy Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Savoy Cabbage

Savoy Cabbage needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Savoy Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Roseau County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Savoy 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.

Savoy Cabbage needs ~832 GDD — county provides 1,147 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Roseau County, MN

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 – Jun 4
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 – Jun 4
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 – Sep 24
Fall Sowing June 30 Jun 30 – Jul 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 3b

📆 Growing Season

124 days in Roseau County

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Roseau County

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after May 21 in Roseau County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Savoy 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. Savoy cabbage is more forgiving of temperature fluctuations than smooth-leaved types. Excellent for stuffed cabbage rolls.

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 Savoy Cabbage in Roseau County, MN?

Roseau County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Roseau County, MN?

Roseau County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 22.

🌱

Your Roseau County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Roseau County (Zone 3b). 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 Roseau County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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