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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Uvalde County, TX

Uvalde County, Texas Zone 9a May

Your May planting checklist for Uvalde County, Texas

May is a pivotal month for Uvalde County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 8
Avg. first frost November 14
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Pick chinese cabbage

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

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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.

Uvalde County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 251 days.

At an elevation of 2,809 feet, Uvalde County receives approximately 59.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Chinese Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chinese Cabbage root diseases.

Uvalde County, TX (Zone 9a) Long season
251 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
251 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14
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Uvalde County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – May 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – May 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6

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 Uvalde County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.6) overlaps with Chinese Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Uvalde County is excellent for Chinese Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Chinese Cabbage.

How to Plant Chinese Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chinese Cabbage

6
successive plantings in your 251-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 05 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 19.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,361 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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 6.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 9.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 8.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 5.8" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 1.8" 4.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Uvalde 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 5,333 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — Uvalde County, TX

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Direct Sow February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 8
Harvest May 3 May 3 – May 31
Fall Sowing September 19 Sep 19 – Oct 3

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
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

251 days in Uvalde County

Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage in Uvalde County

Direct sow Chinese Cabbage outdoors after March 08 in Uvalde County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Uvalde County, TX?

Uvalde County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Uvalde County, TX?

Uvalde County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 14.

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Your Uvalde County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Uvalde 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 Uvalde 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.