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When to Plant Komatsuna in Northumberland 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.

Northumberland County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 207 feet, Northumberland County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Komatsuna root diseases.

Northumberland County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Northumberland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Komatsuna needs ~808 GDD — county provides 4,047 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline โ€” Northumberland County, VA

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Sep 9
Harvest May 10 May 10 โ€“ Jun 14

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 7b

Growing Season

213 days

Growing Tips for Northumberland 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 Northumberland County, VA?

Northumberland County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Northumberland County, VA?

Northumberland County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is November 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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