When to Plant Cabbage in Dunn County, WI
Top priorities for Dunn County, Wisconsin gardeners in May
Your garden in Dunn County, Wisconsin is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Set out cabbage seedlings
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
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Put 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.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: cabbage
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.
Dunn County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.
At an elevation of 1,221 feet, Dunn County receives approximately 34.4 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.
Dunn County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.9-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Dunn County
How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.9–6.7) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Dunn County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.
How to Plant Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Cabbage
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
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.9" | 3.8" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3.9" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.9" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.9" | 2.7" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Dunn 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 Planting Timeline — Dunn County, WI
Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 12 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Direct Sow | May 5 | May 5 – May 26 |
| Harvest | July 14 | Jul 14 – Sep 8 |
| Fall Sowing | July 7 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
140 days in Dunn County
Growing Tips for Cabbage in Dunn County
Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 12 in Dunn 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cabbage in Dunn County, WI?
Dunn County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Dunn County, WI?
Dunn County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 29.
Your Dunn County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Dunn 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.