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When to Plant Komatsuna in Madison 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.

Madison County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 865 feet, Madison County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season.

Madison County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Madison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 174 gal / 100 sq ft
Komatsuna needs ~712 GDD — county provides 3,232 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline โ€” Madison County, VA

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Madison 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Komatsuna in Madison County, VA?

Madison County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, VA?

Madison County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Madison County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Madison County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.