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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Clark County, WI

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

Clark County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 850 feet, Clark County receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chinese Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Clark County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
140 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 13

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 1-2 times/week
Season total 381 gal / 100 sq ft
Chinese Cabbage needs ~690 GDD — county provides 1,610 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, WI

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

140 days

Growing Tips for Clark 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 Clark County, WI?

Clark County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, WI?

Clark County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clark County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Clark County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.