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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Noble County, OK

Noble County, Oklahoma Zone 7a May

Your May gardening checklist

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Noble County, Oklahoma this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 7
Avg. first frost October 28
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for chinese cabbage

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • First harvests: 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.

Noble County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 547 feet, Noble County receives approximately 24.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season.

Noble County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28
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Noble County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 14

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 Noble County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.2) is within Chinese Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Noble County is excellent for Chinese Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help 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

4
successive plantings in your 204-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 19 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 19.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
1.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,163 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 3" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.7" 4.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Noble 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 ~1,140 GDD — county provides 3,876 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — Noble County, OK

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 14
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 30
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 – Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

204 days in Noble County

Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Noble County

Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after April 07 in Noble County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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.

Noble County receives only 24" 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 Noble County, OK?

Noble County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Noble County, OK?

Noble County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 28.

🌱

Your Noble County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Noble County (Zone 7a). 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 Noble County, OK. 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.