When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Lincoln County, ID
Your May game plan for Lincoln County, Idaho
May is a pivotal month for Lincoln County, Idaho gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Time to transplant chinese cabbage
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
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Seed chinese cabbage outdoors
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
Looking ahead to June
- Starting indoors: chinese cabbage
Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage) forms elongated, barrel-shaped heads with tender, mild-flavored leaves. It is a staple in Asian cooking, particularly for kimchi.
Lincoln County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.
At an elevation of 6,230 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 15.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chinese Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chinese Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Lincoln County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-8.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Lincoln County
How your county's soil matches Chinese Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–8.1) overlaps with Chinese Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Lincoln County is excellent for Chinese Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Chinese Cabbage.
How to Plant Chinese Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chinese Cabbage
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 25.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 6.5" | 2" | 4.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 1.1" | 5.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 1.1" | 5.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 1.8" | 4.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 1.3" | 5.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 1.5" | 5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lincoln 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 Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, ID
Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 13 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Direct Sow | May 4 | May 4 – May 25 |
| Harvest | July 13 | Jul 13 – Aug 10 |
| Fall Sowing | July 25 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
138 days in Lincoln County
Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Lincoln County
Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after May 18 in Lincoln County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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.
Lincoln County receives only 16" of rain annually. Chinese Cabbage needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Chinese Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chinese Cabbage in Lincoln County, ID?
Lincoln County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lincoln County, ID?
Lincoln County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is October 3.
Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.