When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Burke County, ND
Top priorities for Burke County, North Dakota gardeners in May
Your garden in Burke County, North Dakota is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Move napa cabbage into the garden
Frost risk is low now in Burke County, North Dakota. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Put napa cabbage seeds straight in the ground
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
Get ahead of June
- Starting indoors: napa cabbage
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.
Burke County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.
At an elevation of 1,146 feet, Burke County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Napa Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.
Burke County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Burke County
How your county's soil matches Napa Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.6) overlaps with Napa Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Burke County is excellent for Napa Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Napa Cabbage.
How to Plant Napa Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Napa Cabbage
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 11 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 02.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 6.5" | 2.2" | 4.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 1.7" | 4.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 1.8" | 4.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 2.4" | 4.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 1.6" | 4.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Burke 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 Planting Timeline — Burke County, ND
Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 14 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Direct Sow | May 7 | May 7 – May 28 |
| Harvest | July 9 | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Fall Sowing | July 2 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
55–75 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4a
📆 Growing Season
133 days in Burke County
Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Burke County
Direct sow Napa Cabbage outdoors after May 14 in Burke County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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.
Burke County receives only 22" of rain annually. Napa Cabbage needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Napa Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Napa Cabbage in Burke County, ND?
Burke County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Burke County, ND?
Burke County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 24.
Your Burke County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Burke County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.