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When to plant Komatsuna in Lee County, FL

Aim to plant Komatsuna in Lee County on or after January 7; the window stays open through January 28. Lee County's 326-day frost-free season gives you plenty of room for a spring and fall cycle. A second sowing from October 24 to November 7 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Komatsuna in Lee County, FL

Lee County, Florida Zone 10b July

July to-do list for Lee County, Florida

July is a pivotal month for Lee County, Florida gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost January 28
Avg. first frost December 19
Soil temp (4") 95°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Plan the fall garden

    Make a planting map for August. Tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, lettuce, root crops all go in over the next 8 weeks. Soil amendments and irrigation prep happen now.

  2. Keep heat-survivor crops productive

    Daily harvest of okra and southern peas keeps plants producing. Let pods over-mature and the plant stops setting new fruit.

  3. Watch for hurricane prep season

    August-October is hurricane season. Stake young trees, secure rain barrels, and plan how to protect tender transplants from high winds.

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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.

Lee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 325 days.

At an elevation of 408 feet, Lee County receives approximately 61.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Komatsuna will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Komatsuna root diseases.

Lee County, FL (Zone 10b) Year-round
325 days
Last Spring Frost January 28
325 growing days
First Fall Frost December 19

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Komatsuna Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (253 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 22 Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Feb 23 – Mar 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (255 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 31 Transplant: Jan 28 🍅 Harvest: Mar 4 – Apr 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (227 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – May 10

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 Lee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–5.9) is more acidic than Komatsuna prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Lee County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Komatsuna will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Komatsuna.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.4%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Komatsuna.

How to Plant Komatsuna

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Komatsuna

11
successive plantings in your 325-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 24.

Komatsuna Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,469 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Komatsuna

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

Month Komatsuna Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Feb 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 10" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering

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

Komatsuna 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.

Komatsuna needs ~616 GDD — county provides 4,727 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline — Lee County, FL

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 31 Dec 31 – Jan 14
Transplant Outdoors January 28 Jan 28 – Feb 11
Direct Sow January 7 Jan 7 – Jan 28
Harvest March 4 Mar 4 – Apr 8
Fall Sowing October 24 Oct 24 – Nov 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

35–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10b

📆 Growing Season

325 days in Lee County

Growing Tips for Komatsuna in Lee County

Direct sow Komatsuna outdoors after January 28 in Lee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Lee County dries quickly — mulch Komatsuna with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your generous 326.0-day season in Lee County allows multiple plantings of Komatsuna. Sow every 17.0 days for continuous harvest.

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

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Komatsuna in Lee County, FL?

Lee County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of January 28. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, FL?

Lee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and first fall frost is December 19.

When should I plant Komatsuna in Lee County, FL?

In Lee County, FL, plant Komatsuna after the last frost (around January 28) and before the first frost (around December 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lee County, FL for Komatsuna?

Lee County sits in USDA Zone 10b. Komatsuna grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Komatsuna grow in Lee County's climate?

Yes — Komatsuna grows well in Lee County's temperate climate. Lee County averages a 326-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 28 and first frost around December 19.

🌱

Your Lee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lee County (Zone 10b). 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 Lee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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