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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Person 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.

Person County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 891 feet, Person County receives approximately 49.8 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.

Person County, NC (Zone 7a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Person County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 14

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 148 gal / 100 sq ft
Chinese Cabbage needs ~1,185 GDD — county provides 4,246 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Person County, NC

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
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 7a

Growing Season

215 days

Growing Tips for Person 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 Person County, NC?

Person County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Person County, NC?

Person County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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