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When to Plant Komatsuna in USDA Zone 3b

Zone 3b Zone 3b April

Your April game plan for Zone 3b

A quick April briefing for Zone 3b gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost May 16
Avg. first frost September 22
A few tasks this April that'll pay off in May
  • Transplants going out: komatsuna
  • Direct-sowing: komatsuna
Send me my free Zone 3b Planting Guide →

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.

In Zone 3b, the average last spring frost is around May 10 and the first fall frost is around September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

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Zone 3b Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Komatsuna Planting Timeline — Zone 3b

Where Is USDA Zone 3b?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 3b. Click any state to see the Komatsuna planting schedule for that location.

Prints a clean, ink-friendly version without maps or navigation.

Komatsuna Planting Calendar — Zone 3b

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 – Jul 19
Fall Sowing June 30 Jun 30 – Jul 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Fall Sowing Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August
September
October
November
December

Free Zone 3b Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 3b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.

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Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

35–50 days

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Zone Temperature Range

°F to °F average annual minimum

Growing Season

135 days (Zone average)

Planting Specifications

Planting Depth0.5 inches
Plant Spacing6 inches apart
Row Spacing12 inches between rows

Succession Planting Komatsuna in Zone

4
successive plantings in Zone 's ~135-day season

Sow every 4 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.

Growing Tips for Komatsuna in Zone

Zone has a short growing season (~135 days). Start Komatsuna indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.

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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Saving Komatsuna Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

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Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Related Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Komatsuna in Zone 3b?

In Zone 3b, plan your Komatsuna planting around the average last frost date of May 10. Start seeds indoors around March 29. Direct sow outdoors around May 3. Transplant seedlings around May 10.

Can Komatsuna grow in Zone 3b?

Yes, Komatsuna can grow well in Zone 3b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 3b has a growing season of approximately 135 days, which is sufficient for Komatsuna (35-50 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Komatsuna in Zone 3b?

In Zone 3b, expect to harvest Komatsuna from June 14 – July 19. Komatsuna takes 35-50 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 3b?

The average last spring frost in Zone 3b is around May 10, and the first fall frost is around September 22. This gives a growing season of approximately 135 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.

What should I plant next to Komatsuna?

Good companion plants for Komatsuna include Lettuce, Spinach, Radish. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.

🌱

Your Free Printable Garden Planner

A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.