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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Pershing County, NV

Pershing County, Nevada Zone 6b May

May in the garden — Pershing County, Nevada

Here's what deserves your attention in Pershing County, Nevada this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 23
Avg. first frost September 23
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Move chinese cabbage from tray to bed

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

  2. Direct-sow chinese cabbage

    Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: chinese cabbage

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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.

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 4,541 feet, Pershing County receives approximately 16.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Chinese Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chinese Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chinese Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pershing County, NV (Zone 6b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23
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Pershing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 12 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 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 Pershing County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0–8.3) is more alkaline than Chinese Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Pershing County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Chinese Cabbage will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Chinese Cabbage is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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

2
successive plantings in your 123-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 15 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 15.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
1.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,835 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 0.4" 6.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 0.5" 6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 3" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 3.2" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Pershing 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 ~1,500 GDD — county provides 3,075 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — Pershing County, NV

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Transplant Outdoors May 23 May 23 – Jun 6
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 – May 30
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 – Aug 15
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 – Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Pershing County

Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Pershing County

Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after May 23 in Pershing County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Pershing County dries quickly — mulch Chinese Cabbage with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 100°F in Pershing County, provide afternoon shade for Chinese Cabbage and water deeply in the morning.

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.

Pershing County receives only 16" of rain annually. Chinese Cabbage needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 23.

🌱

Your Pershing County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Pershing County (Zone 6b). 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 Pershing County, NV. 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.