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When to Plant Tatsoi in Conejos County, CO

Conejos County, Colorado Zone 5a May

Your May game plan for Conejos County, Colorado

Your Conejos County, Colorado garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost June 9
Avg. first frost September 17
Soil temp (4") 35°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Seed tatsoi outdoors

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • Transplants going out: tatsoi

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Tatsoi is a compact Asian green forming beautiful rosettes of dark, spoon-shaped leaves with a mild mustard flavor. It is extremely cold-hardy and versatile.

Conejos County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 100 days.

At an elevation of 6,770 feet, Conejos County receives approximately 24.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Tatsoi to ensure they mature before fall.

Conejos County, CO (Zone 5a) Short season
100 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
100 growing days
First Fall Frost September 17
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Conejos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 25 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 5 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 18 Transplant: Jun 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Aug 31

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.

Soil Compatibility in Conejos County

How your county's soil matches Tatsoi's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.8) overlaps with Tatsoi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Conejos County is excellent for Tatsoi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Tatsoi.

How to Plant Tatsoi

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Tatsoi

3
successive plantings in your 100-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 09.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Tatsoi

Tatsoi needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Tatsoi Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Conejos County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Tatsoi Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Tatsoi needs ~489 GDD — county provides 1,150 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline — Conejos County, CO

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 5 May 5 – May 19
Transplant Outdoors June 9 Jun 9 – Jun 23
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 – Jun 16
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 – Aug 18
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 – Jul 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

35–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

100 days in Conejos County

Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Conejos County

Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after June 09 in Conejos County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Tatsoi in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Conejos County receives only 24" of rain annually. Tatsoi needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct sow in spring or fall. Tatsoi tolerates frost down to 15F. Harvest outer leaves or cut whole rosettes. Excellent in salads, stir-fries, or lightly wilted.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tatsoi in Conejos County, CO?

Conejos County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Conejos County, CO?

Conejos County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 17.

🌱

Your Conejos County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Conejos County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Conejos County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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