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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Mingo County, WV

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

Mingo County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 2,194 feet, Mingo County receives approximately 53.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chinese Cabbage root diseases.

Mingo County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Mingo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 9

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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 453 gal / 100 sq ft
Chinese Cabbage needs ~960 GDD — county provides 2,944 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Mingo County, WV

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 15

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
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 6b

Growing Season

184 days

Growing Tips for Mingo 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 Mingo County, WV?

Mingo County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mingo County, WV?

Mingo County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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