Blog

When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Appling County, GA

Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage) forms elongated, barrel-shaped heads with tender, mild-flavored leaves. It is a staple in Asian cooking, particularly for kimchi.

Appling County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 285 feet, Appling County receives approximately 50.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chinese Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chinese Cabbage root diseases.

Appling County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Appling County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – May 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 20

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,788 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chinese Cabbage needs ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,807 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Appling County, GA

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 18
Fall Sowing September 10 Sep 10 โ€“ Sep 24
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jun 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

253 days

Growing Tips for Appling County

Best grown as a fall crop to avoid bolting. Start seeds indoors or direct sow in late summer. Keep soil consistently moist and provide shade in warm weather.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chinese Cabbage in Appling County, GA?

Appling County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Appling County, GA?

Appling County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Appling County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Appling County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.