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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Antelope County, NE

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.

Antelope County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 608 feet, Antelope County receives approximately 24.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Napa Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Antelope County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Antelope County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Antelope County, NE

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 – May 9
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 1
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 – Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

High — keep soil consistently moist

📅 Days to Maturity

55–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Antelope County

Growing Tips for Antelope County

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 Antelope County, NE?

Antelope County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Antelope County, NE?

Antelope County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

🌱

Your Antelope County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Antelope County (Zone 5a). 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 Antelope County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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