FrostCal

When to Plant Cabbage in Wisconsin

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 2 – Apr 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 22 in Kenosha and as late as Apr 13 in Merrill. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 4 – Aug 18.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–100 days

Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.

Cabbage Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplantFall planting
MilwaukeeMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 29 – Apr 12Aug 13 – Aug 27
MadisonMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 31 – Aug 14
Green BayMar 19 – Apr 2Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 31 – Aug 14
KenoshaMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 17 – Aug 31
RacineMar 2 – Mar 16Mar 23 – Apr 6Aug 15 – Aug 29
AppletonMar 16 – Mar 30Apr 6 – Apr 20Jul 28 – Aug 11
WaukeshaMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 3 – Apr 17Aug 4 – Aug 18
Eau ClaireMar 6 – Mar 20Mar 27 – Apr 10Aug 5 – Aug 19
OshkoshMar 6 – Mar 20Mar 27 – Apr 10Aug 11 – Aug 25
JanesvilleMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 29 – Apr 12Aug 6 – Aug 20
West AllisMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 29 – Apr 12Aug 13 – Aug 27
La CrosseMar 9 – Mar 23Mar 30 – Apr 13Aug 4 – Aug 18
North La CrosseMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 26 – Apr 9Aug 8 – Aug 22
SheboyganMar 7 – Mar 21Mar 28 – Apr 11Aug 14 – Aug 28
WauwatosaMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 29 – Apr 12Aug 9 – Aug 23
Fond du LacMar 9 – Mar 23Mar 30 – Apr 13Aug 10 – Aug 24
New BerlinMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 5 – Apr 19Aug 5 – Aug 19
WausauMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 8 – Apr 22Jul 26 – Aug 9
BrookfieldMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 2 – Apr 16Aug 5 – Aug 19
GreenfieldMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 5 – Apr 19Aug 5 – Aug 19
BeloitMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 3 – Apr 17Aug 3 – Aug 17
FranklinMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 5 – Apr 19Aug 5 – Aug 19
Menomonee FallsMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 8 – Apr 22Jul 30 – Aug 13
Oak CreekMar 4 – Mar 18Mar 25 – Apr 8Aug 17 – Aug 31
ManitowocMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 2 – Apr 16Aug 11 – Aug 25
Sun PrairieMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 3 – Apr 17Aug 1 – Aug 15
West BendMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 3 – Apr 17Aug 3 – Aug 17
FitchburgMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 31 – Aug 14
Stevens PointMar 16 – Mar 30Apr 6 – Apr 20Jul 29 – Aug 12
SuperiorMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 8 – Apr 22Jul 31 – Aug 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 96 Wisconsin cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Wisconsin cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cabbage in Wisconsin?

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 2 – Apr 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 22 in Kenosha and as late as Apr 13 in Merrill. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 4 – Aug 18.

When is the last frost in Wisconsin?

The average last spring frost in Wisconsin ranges from April 19 in Kenosha to May 11 in Merrill, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cabbage take to grow?

Cabbage typically take 60–100 days from planting to harvest. Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.

Other Crops in Wisconsin

When to plant cabbage in other states

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