Blog

When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Clark County, OH

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.

Clark County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 721 feet, Clark County receives approximately 34.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season.

Clark County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 8

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.

Soil Compatibility in Clark County

How your county's soil matches Napa Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0โ€“7.1) is within Napa Cabbage's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Clark County is excellent for Napa Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Napa Cabbage is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Napa Cabbage will thrive.

How to Plant Napa Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Napa Cabbage

3
successive plantings in your 186-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 12.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,927 gal / 100 sq ft
Napa Cabbage needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 2,976 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, OH

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“75 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

186 days in Clark County

Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Clark County

Direct sow Napa Cabbage outdoors after April 18 in Clark County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Napa Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Clark County, OH?

Clark County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, OH?

Clark County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clark County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Clark County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.