Gardening

Kaleva

(38,544 posts) Sun Jul 29, 2018, 09:12 PM Jul 2018

Question about when u can plant Chinese cabbage outdoors.

Last edited Sun Jul 29, 2018, 09:56 PM - Edit history (1)

I want to make Kimchi next year and the main ingredient is Chinese cabbage.

But when reading about when to plant it, I see conflicting directions. Some say to start the seeds indoors and then transplant outside when danger of frost has passed. Other sites say one can sow the seeds outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date which is June 4th for where I live.

Edit: Several sites recommend planting later in the growing season as a fall crop.

5 replies

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Question about when u can plant Chinese cabbage outdoors. (Original Post) Kaleva Jul 2018 OP

With leafy vegetables like that, I usually start indoors just to get a jump on the season. NutmegYankee Jul 2018 #1

Other sites I've been reading say Chinese cabbage is best grown as a fall crop. Kaleva Jul 2018 #3

I do two seasons in Connecticut for leafy veggies. NutmegYankee Jul 2018 #4

Chinese cabbage doesn't like hot weather teach1st Jul 2018 #2

depends on soil temperature NJCher Aug 2018 #5

NutmegYankee

(16,336 posts)

1. With leafy vegetables like that, I usually start indoors just to get a jump on the season.

Reply to Kaleva (Original post)

Sun Jul 29, 2018, 09:55 PM

Jul 2018

Cabbage has some cold tolerance (~25 F), but it takes forever to grow from seed when the soil is cold.

Kaleva

(38,544 posts)

3. Other sites I've been reading say Chinese cabbage is best grown as a fall crop.

Reply to NutmegYankee (Reply #1)

Sun Jul 29, 2018, 10:00 PM

Jul 2018

The soil would warm for direct seeding as you point out and the plant prefers cooler weather which comes in the fall.

NutmegYankee

(16,336 posts)

4. I do two seasons in Connecticut for leafy veggies.

Reply to Kaleva (Reply #3)

Sun Jul 29, 2018, 10:37 PM

Jul 2018

Spring planting in late April with a frost cover, before they bolt in late May/Early June, then another season in early September with some frost covers/cold frame in Oct.

teach1st

(5,969 posts)

2. Chinese cabbage doesn't like hot weather

Reply to Kaleva (Original post)

Sun Jul 29, 2018, 09:58 PM

Jul 2018

Grow it in spring or fall. From my attempts at growing it in Hawai'i, the temp has to be below 80F on most days. It only takes a few weeks from seed.

https://harvesttotable.com/how_to_grow_chinese_cabbage/

NJCher

(38,240 posts)

5. depends on soil temperature

Reply to Kaleva (Original post)

Sun Aug 5, 2018, 11:16 PM

Aug 2018

your farm extension service should have a map telling soil temp; if not, use a meat thermometer.

Google "soil temperature cabbage seeds" and you'll get the temp.

You're prol'ly going to need cooler temps, Lettuce, for example, will not germinate until the soil is cooler.

p.s. my soil temp in Jersey is around 86 now.

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