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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Fulton 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.

Fulton County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 566 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 46.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Napa Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Fulton County, NY (Zone 5a) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
143 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Napa Cabbage

Napa Cabbage needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Napa Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Fulton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, NY

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Aug 13
Fall Sowing July 26 Jul 26 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 Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“75 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

143 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Fulton 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Napa Cabbage in Fulton County, NY?

Fulton County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, NY?

Fulton County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fulton County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Fulton County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.