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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Geauga 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.

Geauga County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 1,003 feet, Geauga County receives approximately 35.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season.

Geauga County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Geauga County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 807 gal / 100 sq ft
Chinese Cabbage needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,334 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Geauga County, OH

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Aug 18
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Jul 28

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 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 5b

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Geauga 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chinese Cabbage in Geauga County, OH?

Geauga County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Geauga County, OH?

Geauga County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Geauga County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Geauga County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.