Napa cabbage is a fantastic fall and winter staple for any home garden. It’s typically harvested in late autumn and is packed with nutrients to keep you healthy through the colder months.
Harvesting in the Fall
The peak season for harvesting Napa cabbage is usually October and November, though depending on when you planted, you might even start as early as September. One of the best things about this veggie is that it’s pretty hardy—it can handle a light frost down to about 21°F (-6°C). That said, you’ll want to wait for a frost-free day to actually head out and do the picking.
From sowing the seeds to harvest, things move pretty fast! The whole ripening process takes only about 90 days. Most gardeners get their seeds in the ground around July. A little pro tip: if you want to prevent your Napa cabbage from bolting (flowering early), make sure to wait until late summer to sow. This timing ensures you get a great harvest in late autumn instead of a bunch of flowers.
You’ll know it’s time to harvest when the heads feel firm and the leaves are tightly closed, but before any flower stalks start to peek through. Look for those classic crinkly, pale green and white leaves. If you’re planning on storing your cabbage for a while, try harvesting the entire plant with the roots still attached—it helps keep it fresh much longer!
