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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Monroe County, PA

Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage) forms elongated, barrel-shaped heads with tender, mild-flavored leaves. It is a staple in Asian cooking, particularly for kimchi.

Monroe County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 532 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 42.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chinese Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Monroe County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — Monroe County, PA

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 – May 7
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 – Jul 23
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

High — keep soil consistently moist

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

170 days in Monroe County

Growing Tips for Monroe County

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 Monroe County, PA?

Monroe County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, PA?

Monroe County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 17.

🌱

Your Monroe County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Monroe 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Monroe County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.