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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Sheridan County, ND

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

Sheridan County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 1,070 feet, Sheridan County receives approximately 24.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chinese Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Sheridan County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Sheridan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 12

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,194 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Chinese Cabbage needs ~645 GDD — county provides 1,526 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Sheridan County, ND

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Jul 23
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Aug 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 3b

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Sheridan 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 Sheridan County, ND?

Sheridan County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sheridan County, ND?

Sheridan County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sheridan County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Sheridan County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.