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When to plant Chinese Cabbage in Tate County County,

Spring Chinese Cabbage in Tate County County goes in March 13–April 3, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from August 22 to September 5 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Tate County, MS

Tate County, Mississippi Zone 8a June

Tate County, Mississippi gardeners: here's your June plan

Each item below is timed to Tate County, Mississippi's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost October 31
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for chinese cabbage

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

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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.

Tate County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 374 feet, Tate County receives approximately 61.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chinese Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chinese Cabbage root diseases.

Tate County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
218 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Tate County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Chinese Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8

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 Tate County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.8) overlaps with Chinese Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Tate County is excellent for Chinese Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Chinese Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Chinese Cabbage.

How to Plant Chinese Cabbage

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chinese Cabbage

5
successive plantings in your 218-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 22.

Chinese Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 5.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 6" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 5.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 6.1" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in Tate 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 3,651 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — Tate County, MS

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 – Apr 3
Harvest May 22 May 22 – Jun 19
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 – Sep 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

218 days in Tate County

Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Tate County

Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after March 27 in Tate County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Tate County's clay soil (31% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Chinese Cabbage. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Tate County, MS?

Tate County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tate County, MS?

Tate County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is October 31.

When should I plant Chinese Cabbage in Tate County County, ?

In Tate County County, , plant Chinese Cabbage after the last frost (around March 27) and before the first frost (around October 31). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Tate County County, for Chinese Cabbage?

Tate County County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Chinese Cabbage grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Chinese Cabbage grow in Tate County County's climate?

Yes — Chinese Cabbage grows well in Tate County County's temperate climate. Tate County County averages a 218-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 27 and first frost around October 31.

🌱

Your Tate County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Tate County (Zone 8a). 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 Tate County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.