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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Morgan 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.

Morgan County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and the first fall frost is August 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 75 days.

At an elevation of 6,439 feet, Morgan County receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chinese Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chinese Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Morgan County, UT (Zone 5b) Very short season
75 days
Last Spring Frost June 17
75 growing days
First Fall Frost August 31

Morgan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 13 Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 20 Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Sep 16

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
0.8″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 916 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chinese Cabbage needs ~780 GDD — county provides 975 GDD Good fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Morgan County, UT

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Transplant Outdoors June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 1
Direct Sow June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 24
Fall Sowing June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Jul 6
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Sep 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

75 days

Growing Tips for Morgan 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 Morgan County, UT?

Morgan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 17. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morgan County, UT?

Morgan County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and first fall frost is August 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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