When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Green Lake County, WI
Your April gardening checklist
Welcome to April in Zone 4b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Harden off and plant napa cabbage
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
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Direct-sow napa cabbage
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
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.
Green Lake County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.
At an elevation of 592 feet, Green Lake County receives approximately 32.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Napa Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.
Green Lake County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.1
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 Green Lake County
How your county's soil matches Napa Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.1) is within Napa Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Green Lake County is excellent for Napa Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.2%) — Napa Cabbage will thrive.
How to Plant Napa Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Napa Cabbage
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 31 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 22.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Napa Cabbage
Napa Cabbage needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Napa Cabbage Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 6.5" | 3.1" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 6.5" | 3.5" | 3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 3.8" | 2.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 4" | 2.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 3.3" | 3.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 3.1" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 2.4" | 4.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Green Lake County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Napa 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.
Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Green Lake County, WI
Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 27 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Direct Sow | April 20 | Apr 20 – May 11 |
| Harvest | June 22 | Jun 22 – Jul 27 |
| Fall Sowing | July 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
55–75 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
170 days in Green Lake County
Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Green Lake County
Direct sow Napa Cabbage outdoors after April 27 in Green Lake County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Napa Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Napa Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Napa Cabbage in Green Lake County, WI?
Green Lake County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Green Lake County, WI?
Green Lake County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 14.
Your Green Lake County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Green Lake 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.