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When to plant Chinese Cabbage in Hendry County County,

In Hendry County County, plant Chinese Cabbage in spring between December 24 and January 14, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Hendry County County's last frost averages January 1, so aim for a steady week of warm soil before planting. For a fall crop, sow between February 18 and March 4 — roughly 70 days before the first frost on December 31.

When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Hendry County, FL

Hendry County, Florida Zone 10a June

June in Hendry County, Florida — your action list

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Hendry County, Florida.

Avg. last frost January 14
Soil temp (4") 88°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Survive, don't thrive

    June-August is endurance gardening. Keep okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and southern peas alive. Harvest everything daily before the heat damages produce on the vine.

  2. Start fall tomato seeds indoors

    Yes, indoors — under lights or in AC. They'll be ready to transplant in August when temperatures briefly moderate.

  3. Add compost to empty beds

    Empty beds get a thick layer of compost + mulch to suppress weeds and feed the soil for fall planting.

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Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage) forms elongated, barrel-shaped heads with tender, mild-flavored leaves. It is a staple in Asian cooking, particularly for kimchi.

Hendry County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 14 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 91 days.

At an elevation of 403 feet, Hendry County receives approximately 55.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chinese Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chinese Cabbage root diseases.

Hendry County, FL (Zone 10a) Very short season
91 days
Last Spring Frost January 14
91 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Hendry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Soil Compatibility in Hendry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–5.8) is more acidic than Chinese Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Hendry County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Chinese Cabbage will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Chinese Cabbage.

How to Plant Chinese Cabbage

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Chinese Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
1.6″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 5,094 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Chinese Cabbage

Chinese Cabbage needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Chinese Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Feb 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 9.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Oct in Hendry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Chinese Cabbage Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Chinese Cabbage needs ~1,005 GDD — county provides 6,113 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — Hendry County, FL

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 17 Dec 17 – Dec 31
Transplant Outdoors January 14 Jan 14 – Jan 28
Direct Sow December 24 Dec 24 – Jan 14
Harvest March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 8
Fall Sowing February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

91 days in Hendry County

Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Hendry County

Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after January 14 in Hendry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Hendry County dries quickly — mulch Chinese Cabbage with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Chinese 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 to avoid bolting. Start seeds indoors or direct sow in late summer. Keep soil consistently moist and provide shade in warm weather.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chinese Cabbage in Hendry County, FL?

Hendry County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 14. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hendry County, FL?

Hendry County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 14 and first fall frost is .

When should I plant Chinese Cabbage in Hendry County, ?

In Hendry County, , plant Chinese Cabbage after the last frost (around January 1) and before the first frost (around December 31). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Hendry County, for Chinese Cabbage?

Hendry County sits in USDA Zone 10a. Chinese Cabbage grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Chinese Cabbage grow in Hendry County's climate?

Yes — Chinese Cabbage grows well in Hendry County's temperate climate. Hendry County averages a 365-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 1 and first frost around December 31.

🌱

Your Hendry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hendry County (Zone 10a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Hendry County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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