Blog

When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Barrow 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.

Barrow County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 438 feet, Barrow County receives approximately 60.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Barrow County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Barrow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 3

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 876 gal / 100 sq ft
Chinese Cabbage needs ~1,185 GDD — county provides 4,641 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Barrow County, GA

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
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 7b

Growing Season

235 days

Growing Tips for Barrow 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 Barrow County, GA?

Barrow County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barrow County, GA?

Barrow County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Barrow County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Barrow County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.