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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Chemung County, NY

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.

Chemung County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 154 days.

At an elevation of 233 feet, Chemung County receives approximately 46.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season.

Chemung County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
154 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
154 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Chemung County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 20

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
1.3″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 310 gal / 100 sq ft
Napa Cabbage needs ~991 GDD — county provides 2,348 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Chemung County, NY

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

55โ€“75 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

154 days

Growing Tips for Chemung 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 Chemung County, NY?

Chemung County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chemung County, NY?

Chemung County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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