When to Plant Napa Cabbage in USDA Zone 6b
Your June planting checklist for Zone 6b
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 6b.
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Harvest napa cabbage as they ripen
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
Coming up in July — start thinking about
- First harvests: napa cabbage
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 6b, the average last spring frost is around April 3 and the first fall frost is around October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.
Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Zone 6b
Where Is USDA Zone 6b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6b. Click any state to see the Napa Cabbage planting schedule for that location.
Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar — Zone 6b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Direct Sow | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 |
| Harvest | May 29 | May 29 – Jul 3 |
| Fall Sowing | August 16 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6b 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
-5°F to 0°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
205 days (Zone 6b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Napa Cabbage in Zone 6b
Sow every 6.3 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Zone 6b
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 6b?
In Zone 6b, plan your Napa Cabbage planting around the average last frost date of April 3. Start seeds indoors around February 27. Direct sow outdoors around March 20. Transplant seedlings around April 3.
Can Napa Cabbage grow in Zone 6b?
Yes, Napa Cabbage can grow well in Zone 6b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 6b has a growing season of approximately 205 days, which is sufficient for Napa Cabbage (55-75 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Napa Cabbage in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, expect to harvest Napa Cabbage from May 29 – July 3. Napa Cabbage takes 55-75 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6b is around April 3, and the first fall frost is around October 25. This gives a growing season of approximately 205 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 Zone 6b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 6b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.