When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Richland County, ND
Your May game plan for Richland County, North Dakota
Welcome to May in Zone 4a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
-
Plant out napa cabbage
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Richland County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.
At an elevation of 791 feet, Richland County receives approximately 28.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Napa Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.
Richland County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.7
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 Richland County
How your county's soil matches Napa Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.7) overlaps with Napa Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Richland County is excellent for Napa Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Napa Cabbage is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). 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 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 14.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 6.5" | 4.2" | 2.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 4.5" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 3.5" | 3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 3.6" | 2.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 2.8" | 3.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 1.7" | 4.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Richland 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 — Richland County, ND
Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 6 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Direct Sow | April 29 | Apr 29 – May 20 |
| Harvest | July 1 | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Fall Sowing | July 14 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| 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
153 days in Richland County
Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Richland County
Direct sow Napa Cabbage outdoors after May 06 in Richland 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.
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 Richland County, ND?
Richland County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Richland County, ND?
Richland County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 6.
Your Richland County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Richland 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.