When to Plant Napa Cabbage in USDA Zone 11a
Your May gardening checklist
Welcome to May in Zone 11a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
Download your personalised Zone 11a planting plan →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.
In Zone 11a, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Zone 11a
Where Is USDA Zone 11a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 11a. Click any state to see the Napa Cabbage planting schedule for that location.
Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar — Zone 11a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 4 | Dec 4 – Dec 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 1 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Direct Sow | December 11 | Dec 11 – Jan 1 |
| Harvest | February 26 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 |
| Fall Sowing | November 5 | Nov 5 – Nov 19 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| February | Harvest |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | Fall Sowing |
| December | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
Free Zone 11a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 11a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
High — keep soil consistently moist
Days to Maturity
55–75 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
364 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Napa Cabbage in Zone
Sow every 6.3 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~364 days). Start Napa Cabbage indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
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Saving Napa Cabbage Seeds
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Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
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Related Plants
Napa Cabbage in Other Zones
Napa Cabbage by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Napa Cabbage in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, plan your Napa Cabbage planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around December 4. Direct sow outdoors around December 11. Transplant seedlings around January 1.
Can Napa Cabbage grow in Zone 11a?
Yes, Napa Cabbage can grow well in Zone 11a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 11a has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Napa Cabbage (55-75 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Napa Cabbage in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, expect to harvest Napa Cabbage from February 26 – April 2. Napa Cabbage takes 55-75 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 11a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 11a is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Napa Cabbage?
Good companion plants for Napa Cabbage include Celery, Onion, Beets. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.