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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Travis County, TX

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.

Travis County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 3,682 feet, Travis County receives approximately 66.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Napa Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Napa Cabbage root diseases.

Travis County, TX (Zone 9a) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23
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Travis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Napa Cabbage

Napa Cabbage needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Napa Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 11.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Travis County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Travis County, TX

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 – Mar 6
Harvest May 1 May 1 – Jun 5
Fall Sowing September 28 Sep 28 – Oct 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

High — keep soil consistently moist

📅 Days to Maturity

55–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

262 days in Travis County

Growing Tips for Travis County

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 Travis County, TX?

Travis County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Travis County, TX?

Travis County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 23.

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Your Travis County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Travis County (Zone 9a). 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 Travis County, TX. 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.