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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Collingsworth County, TX

Collingsworth County, Texas Zone 7b May

Top priorities for Collingsworth County, Texas gardeners in May

Welcome to May in Zone 7b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 28
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Get chinese cabbage seeds going inside

    You're about 24 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. It's harvest week for chinese cabbage

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

June prep starts now
  • 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.

Collingsworth County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,944 feet, Collingsworth County receives approximately 48.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Chinese Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chinese Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Collingsworth County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6
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Collingsworth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8

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 Collingsworth County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.4–8.6) is more alkaline than Chinese Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Collingsworth County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Chinese Cabbage will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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

5
successive plantings in your 223-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 28.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,392 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 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 6.5" 1.9" 4.6" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 1.3" 5.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 1.7" 4.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 4.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 3" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Collingsworth 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 ~1,275 GDD — county provides 4,738 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — Collingsworth County, TX

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 – Apr 4
Harvest May 23 May 23 – Jun 20
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 – Sep 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Collingsworth County

Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Collingsworth County

Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after March 28 in Collingsworth County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Collingsworth County dries quickly — mulch Chinese Cabbage with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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.

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 Collingsworth County, TX?

Collingsworth County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Collingsworth County, TX?

Collingsworth County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Collingsworth County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Collingsworth 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 Collingsworth County, TX. 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.