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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Titus County, TX

Titus County, Texas Zone 8b May

May in the garden — Titus County, Texas

A quick May briefing for Titus County, Texas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 18
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Collect napa cabbage at their peak

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

Get ahead of June
  • 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.

Titus County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 314 feet, Titus County receives approximately 72.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Napa Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Napa Cabbage root diseases.

Titus County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11
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Titus County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – 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 Titus County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) overlaps with Napa Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Napa Cabbage.

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

5
successive plantings in your 238-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 464 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 8.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 6.5" 10.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 11.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Titus 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 4,343 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Titus County, TX

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest May 13 May 13 – Jun 17
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 – Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

55–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

238 days in Titus County

Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Titus County

Direct sow Napa Cabbage outdoors after March 18 in Titus County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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 Titus County, TX?

Titus County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Titus County, TX?

Titus County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your Titus County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Titus County (Zone 8b). 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 Titus 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.