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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Dodge 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.

Dodge County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 820 feet, Dodge County receives approximately 33.1 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.

Dodge County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Dodge County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Dodge County, NE

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 – Jul 22
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 – Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 5b

📆 Growing Season

172 days in Dodge County

Growing Tips for Dodge 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 Dodge County, NE?

Dodge County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dodge County, NE?

Dodge County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

🌱

Your Dodge County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dodge County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Dodge County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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