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When to Plant Komatsuna in Clay County, TN

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.

Clay County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 1,418 feet, Clay County receives approximately 42.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season.

Clay County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 4

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Komatsuna needs ~616 GDD — county provides 2,871 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, TN

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 6b

Growing Season

198 days

Growing Tips for Clay 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 Clay County, TN?

Clay County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clay County, TN?

Clay County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clay County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Clay County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.