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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Currituck County, NC

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

Currituck County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 367 feet, Currituck County receives approximately 45.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Currituck County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Currituck County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 9

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,444 gal / 100 sq ft
Chinese Cabbage needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 4,288 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Currituck County, NC

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 18

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 Direct Sow
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 8a

Growing Season

235 days

Growing Tips for Currituck 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 Currituck County, NC?

Currituck County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Currituck County, NC?

Currituck County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Currituck County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Currituck County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.