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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Yates 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.

Yates County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 574 feet, Yates County receives approximately 44.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season.

Yates County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Yates County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 459 gal / 100 sq ft
Napa Cabbage needs ~894 GDD — county provides 2,186 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Yates County, NY

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 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 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

159 days

Growing Tips for Yates 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 Yates County, NY?

Yates County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yates County, NY?

Yates County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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