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When to Plant Napa Cabbage in Spokane County, WA

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.

Spokane County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 1,645 feet, Spokane County receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Napa Cabbage during the growing season.

Spokane County, WA (Zone 6b) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Spokane County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.2

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 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.7" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Napa Cabbage Planting Timeline — Spokane County, WA

Napa Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 – May 18
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 – Aug 10
Fall Sowing July 19 Jul 19 – Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 6b

📆 Growing Season

139 days in Spokane County

Growing Tips for Spokane 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 Spokane County, WA?

Spokane County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Napa Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Spokane County, WA?

Spokane County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 27.

🌱

Your Spokane County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Spokane County (Zone 6b). 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 Spokane County, WA. 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.