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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Erie County, OH

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

Erie County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 723 feet, Erie County receives approximately 38.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season.

Erie County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Erie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 948 gal / 100 sq ft
Chinese Cabbage needs ~915 GDD — county provides 2,714 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Erie County, OH

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Jul 20

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Erie 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 Erie County, OH?

Erie County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Erie County, OH?

Erie County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Erie County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Erie County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.