When to Plant Cabbage in Frederic, WI
Your June gardening checklist
June is a pivotal month for Polk County, Wisconsin gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
-
Time to start cabbage inside
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
Before July arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: cabbage
- Fall sowing: 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.
Frederic, 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 582 feet, Polk County receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.
Frederic Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6-6.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Cabbage 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 Frederic
How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.0–6.9) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Polk County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). 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.
Cabbage 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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.9" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.9" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.9" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.9" | 3.3" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Polk 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 — Frederic, 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
140 days in Polk County
Growing Tips for Cabbage in Frederic
Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 12 in Polk 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
Your Polk County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Polk 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.