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When to Plant Komatsuna in Navajo County, AZ

Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) is a versatile Asian green with glossy, dark leaves and a mild, sweet flavor. It is extremely cold-hardy and heat-tolerant.

Navajo County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 5,528 feet, Navajo County receives approximately 15.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Komatsuna will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Komatsuna successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Navajo County, AZ (Zone 6a) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Navajo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,610 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Komatsuna needs ~871 GDD — county provides 3,423 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline โ€” Navajo County, AZ

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 11

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

35โ€“50 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

167 days

Growing Tips for Navajo County

Direct sow in spring or fall. One of the most forgiving Asian greens for all seasons. Harvest outer leaves or cut whole plants. Excellent for stir-fries, soups, or salads.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Komatsuna in Navajo County, AZ?

Navajo County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Navajo County, AZ?

Navajo County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Navajo County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Navajo County, AZ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.