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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in King County, TX

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

King County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 3,170 feet, King County receives approximately 60.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 99°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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chinese Cabbage root diseases.

King County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

King County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — King County, TX

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 – Apr 7
Harvest May 26 May 26 – Jun 23
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 – Sep 12

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

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 8a

📆 Growing Season

221 days in King County

Growing Tips for King 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 King County, TX?

King County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is King County, TX?

King County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 7.

🌱

Your King County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for King County (Zone 8a). 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 King County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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