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When to Plant Komatsuna in Cavalier County, ND

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.

Cavalier County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 568 feet, Cavalier County receives approximately 27.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Komatsuna to ensure they mature before fall.

Cavalier County, ND (Zone 3a) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Cavalier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 5

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 222 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Komatsuna needs ~361 GDD — county provides 1,173 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline โ€” Cavalier County, ND

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
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 3a

Growing Season

138 days

Growing Tips for Cavalier 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 Cavalier County, ND?

Cavalier County is in Zone 3a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cavalier County, ND?

Cavalier County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cavalier County gardeners in Zone 3a 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 Cavalier County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.