When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Graves County, KY
Your May gardening checklist
May is a pivotal month for Graves County, Kentucky gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Begin indoor sowing: chinese cabbage
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
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Collect chinese cabbage at their peak
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: 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.
Graves County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.
At an elevation of 1,433 feet, Graves County receives approximately 53 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chinese Cabbage root diseases.
Graves County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.9
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 Graves County
How your county's soil matches Chinese Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.9) overlaps with Chinese Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Graves 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 Aug 22 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 22.
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 | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 6.5" | 5" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 6.5" | 4.2" | 2.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 6.5" | 4.6" | 1.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 5" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 5.7" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 4.2" | 2.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 4" | 2.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 3.4" | 3.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in Graves 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 — Graves County, KY
Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 21 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Direct Sow | March 14 | Mar 14 – Apr 4 |
| Harvest | May 23 | May 23 – Jun 20 |
| Fall Sowing | August 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
50–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
217 days in Graves County
Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Graves County
Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after March 28 in Graves 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.
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 Graves County, KY?
Graves County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Graves County, KY?
Graves County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is October 31.
Your Graves County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Graves County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.