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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Wharton 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.

Wharton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.

At an elevation of 207 feet, Wharton County receives approximately 64.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 98°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.

Wharton County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
292 days
Last Spring Frost February 17
292 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Wharton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline — Wharton County, TX

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 20 Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Outdoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Direct Sow January 27 Jan 27 – Feb 17
Harvest April 14 Apr 14 – May 12
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 – Oct 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

292 days in Wharton County

Growing Tips for Wharton 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 Wharton County, TX?

Wharton County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 17. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wharton County, TX?

Wharton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 17 and first fall frost is December 6.

🌱

Your Wharton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wharton 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 Wharton 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.