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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Charles Mix County, SD

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.

Charles Mix County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 667 feet, Charles Mix County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Napa Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Charles Mix County, SD (Zone 4b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Charles Mix County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,300 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Napa Cabbage needs ~796 GDD — county provides 1,923 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Charles Mix County, SD

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 2

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 Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4b

Growing Season

157 days

Growing Tips for Charles Mix 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 Charles Mix County, SD?

Charles Mix County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Charles Mix County, SD?

Charles Mix County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Charles Mix County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Charles Mix County, SD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.