Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) in Zone 4a & 4b

Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis

When to plant napa cabbage (chinese cabbage) in zone 4b

Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) tolerates either.

Start indoorsApr 17–Apr 24
Direct sow / transplant outsideMay 15–May 22
Estimated harvestJul 11–Jul 18 (~57 days after planting)

Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1 ft.

Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)
Photo: Taken by Fanghong via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5, cropped.

Napa cabbage (also called Chinese cabbage) forms a dense, barrel-shaped head of crinkled, mild-flavored leaves, the classic base for kimchi, and a sweeter, more tender alternative to standard green cabbage.

How napa cabbage (chinese cabbage) fits zone 4's season

Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) needs about 57 days from sowing to first harvest.

Good companions

No standout companions recorded yet for Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage).

Where to buy napa cabbage seeds

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing napa cabbage (chinese cabbage)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

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Growing Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) in USDA zone 4b

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Growing Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.

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