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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Trumbull 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.

Trumbull County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 651 feet, Trumbull County receives approximately 34.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season.

Trumbull County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Trumbull County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,098 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Chinese Cabbage needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,407 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Trumbull County, OH

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Jul 27

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

166 days

Growing Tips for Trumbull 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 Trumbull County, OH?

Trumbull County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Trumbull County, OH?

Trumbull County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Trumbull 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 Trumbull County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.