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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Greenlee County, AZ

Napa cabbage forms tall, barrel-shaped heads with tender, crinkled leaves and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It is the primary cabbage used for kimchi.

Greenlee County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 4,156 feet, Greenlee County receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Napa Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Napa Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Napa Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Greenlee County, AZ (Zone 7a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Greenlee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.1-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 14 Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 17

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
0.3″/week
You supply
1.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,165 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Napa Cabbage needs ~1,381 GDD — county provides 3,888 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Greenlee County, AZ

Napa 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 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 22

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

55โ€“75 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Greenlee County

Best grown as a fall crop. Direct sow in late summer, 60-70 days before first frost. Keep soil evenly moist. Bolt-resistant varieties are available for spring planting.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Napa Cabbage in Greenlee County, AZ?

Greenlee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greenlee County, AZ?

Greenlee County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greenlee County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Greenlee County, AZ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.