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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Pottawatomie County, OK

Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma Zone 7b May

May in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma — your action list

May is a pivotal month for Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 2
Avg. first frost November 5
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: napa cabbage

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 2). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Bring in the napa cabbage

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: napa cabbage

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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.

Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 550 feet, Pottawatomie County receives approximately 26.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season.

Pottawatomie County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5
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Pottawatomie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15

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 Pottawatomie County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.4) is within Napa Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Napa Cabbage will thrive.

How to Plant Napa 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 Napa Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 217-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 27.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,274 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 2.9" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.5" 5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 6.5" 0.8" 5.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Pottawatomie 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 needs ~1,186 GDD — county provides 3,960 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Pottawatomie County, OK

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 9
Harvest May 28 May 28 – Jul 2
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 – Sep 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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

55–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

217 days in Pottawatomie County

Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Pottawatomie County

Direct sow Napa Cabbage outdoors after April 02 in Pottawatomie 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

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Napa Cabbage in Pottawatomie County, OK?

Pottawatomie County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pottawatomie County, OK?

Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 5.

🌱

Your Pottawatomie County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Pottawatomie County (Zone 7b). 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 Pottawatomie 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.