When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in USDA Zone 3b
Your May gardening checklist
Welcome to May in Zone 3b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Time to transplant chinese cabbage
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
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Scatter chinese cabbage into prepared beds
These tolerate cool soil, so you're not gambling by sowing now.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- Starting indoors: chinese cabbage
- Fall sowing: chinese cabbage
Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage) forms elongated, barrel-shaped heads with tender, mild-flavored leaves. It is a staple in Asian cooking, particularly for kimchi.
In Zone 3b, the average last spring frost is around May 10 and the first fall frost is around September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.
Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — Zone 3b
Where Is USDA Zone 3b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 3b. Click any state to see the Chinese Cabbage planting schedule for that location.
Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar — Zone 3b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 10 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Harvest | July 5 | Jul 5 – Aug 2 |
| Fall Sowing | June 30 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 3b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 3b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
High — keep soil consistently moist
Days to Maturity
50–70 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
135 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Chinese Cabbage in Zone
Sow every 5.7 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~135 days). Start Chinese Cabbage indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
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Saving Chinese Cabbage Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Chinese Cabbage in Other Zones
Chinese Cabbage by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chinese Cabbage in Zone 3b?
In Zone 3b, plan your Chinese Cabbage planting around the average last frost date of May 10. Start seeds indoors around March 29. Direct sow outdoors around May 3. Transplant seedlings around May 10.
Can Chinese Cabbage grow in Zone 3b?
Yes, Chinese Cabbage can grow well in Zone 3b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 3b has a growing season of approximately 135 days, which is sufficient for Chinese Cabbage (50-70 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Chinese Cabbage in Zone 3b?
In Zone 3b, expect to harvest Chinese Cabbage from July 5 – August 2. Chinese Cabbage takes 50-70 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 3b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3b is around May 10, and the first fall frost is around September 22. This gives a growing season of approximately 135 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Chinese Cabbage?
Good companion plants for Chinese Cabbage include Celery, Onion, Beets. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.