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When to Plant Komatsuna in Botetourt County, VA

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.

Botetourt County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 897 feet, Botetourt County receives approximately 40.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season.

Botetourt County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Botetourt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22

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
Komatsuna needs ~680 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline โ€” Botetourt County, VA

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 2

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Botetourt 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 Botetourt County, VA?

Botetourt County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Botetourt County, VA?

Botetourt County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Botetourt 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 Botetourt County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.