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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Yalobusha County, MS

Yalobusha County, Mississippi Zone 8a May

May in the garden — Yalobusha County, Mississippi

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Yalobusha County, Mississippi this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 30
Avg. first frost October 31
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Time to start napa cabbage inside

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

  2. Harvest napa cabbage as they ripen

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: napa cabbage

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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.

Yalobusha County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 66 feet, Yalobusha County receives approximately 58.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Napa Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Napa Cabbage root diseases.

Yalobusha County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
215 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31
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Yalobusha County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16

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 Yalobusha County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) is more acidic than Napa Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Napa Cabbage.

How to Plant Napa 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 Napa Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 215-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 22.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 676 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Napa Cabbage

Napa 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 Napa Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 5.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Napa 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.

Napa Cabbage needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 3,440 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Yalobusha County, MS

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 – Apr 6
Harvest May 25 May 25 – Jun 29
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
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

55–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

215 days in Yalobusha County

Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Yalobusha County

Direct sow Napa Cabbage outdoors after March 30 in Yalobusha County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Yalobusha County's clay soil (27% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Napa Cabbage. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Napa 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. 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

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Napa Cabbage in Yalobusha County, MS?

Yalobusha County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yalobusha County, MS?

Yalobusha County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Your Yalobusha County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Yalobusha 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 Yalobusha County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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