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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Davis County, UT

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

Davis County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 4,567 feet, Davis County receives approximately 16.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chinese Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Davis County, UT (Zone 6b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Davis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 2

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.

Soil Compatibility in Davis County

How your county's soil matches Chinese Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.6) overlaps with Chinese Cabbage's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Davis County is excellent for Chinese Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Chinese Cabbage.

How to Plant Chinese Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chinese Cabbage

3
successive plantings in your 157-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 01.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,771 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Chinese Cabbage needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 2,865 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Davis County, UT

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

157 days in Davis County

Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Davis County

Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after May 06 in Davis County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Chinese Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Davis County receives only 17" of rain annually. Chinese Cabbage needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Davis County, UT?

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

What planting zone is Davis County, UT?

Davis County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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