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When to Plant Komatsuna in Roanoke City, 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.

Roanoke City, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 336 feet, Roanoke City receives approximately 53.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Komatsuna root diseases.

Roanoke City, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Roanoke City Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Komatsuna needs ~871 GDD — county provides 3,649 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline โ€” Roanoke City, VA

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jul 4

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 Direct Sow 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 7a

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Roanoke City

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 Roanoke City, VA?

Roanoke City is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Roanoke City, VA?

Roanoke City, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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