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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Garfield County, WA

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.

Garfield County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 3,226 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Napa Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Garfield County, WA (Zone 6a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
144 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Garfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

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€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.3" 4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.3" 4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Garfield County, WA

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 8
Fall Sowing July 22 Jul 22 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 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 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

144 days in Garfield County

Growing Tips for Garfield 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 Garfield County, WA?

Garfield County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Garfield County, WA?

Garfield County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Garfield County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Garfield County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.