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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Beaver County, UT

Beaver County, Utah Zone 6a May

May in the garden — Beaver County, Utah

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

Avg. last frost May 21
Avg. first frost September 29
Soil temp (4") 36°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant napa cabbage

    Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.

  2. Plant napa cabbage from seed, right in the garden

    Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.

Looking ahead to June
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Beaver County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 7,589 feet, Beaver County receives approximately 24.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season.

Beaver County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29
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Beaver County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 9

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 Beaver County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.8) overlaps with Napa Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Napa Cabbage is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help 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

2
successive plantings in your 131-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 16 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 21.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,638 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 2.9" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 2.4" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2" 4.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Beaver 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 ~894 GDD — county provides 1,801 GDD Excellent fit

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Beaver County, UT

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 – Jun 4
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 – May 28
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 – Aug 20
Fall Sowing July 21 Jul 21 – Aug 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

55–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

131 days in Beaver County

Growing Tips for Napa Cabbage in Beaver County

Direct sow Napa Cabbage outdoors after May 21 in Beaver County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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.

Beaver County receives only 24" of rain annually. Napa Cabbage needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Beaver County, UT?

Beaver County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Beaver County, UT?

Beaver County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 29.

🌱

Your Beaver County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Beaver County (Zone 6a). 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 Beaver County, UT. 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.