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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Pendleton County, KY

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

Pendleton County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 3,475 feet, Pendleton County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season.

Pendleton County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Pendleton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Jul 29

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 Pendleton County

How your county's soil matches Chinese Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6โ€“6.5) overlaps with Chinese Cabbage's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Pendleton County is excellent for Chinese Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Chinese Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Chinese Cabbage.

How to Plant Chinese Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chinese Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 192-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 16 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 40 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Chinese Cabbage needs ~825 GDD — county provides 2,640 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Pendleton County, KY

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

192 days in Pendleton County

Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Pendleton County

Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after April 16 in Pendleton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Chinese 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 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 Pendleton County, KY?

Pendleton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pendleton County, KY?

Pendleton County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pendleton County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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