Blog

When to Plant Tatsoi in Seminole County, FL

Seminole County, Florida Zone 10a May

Top priorities for Seminole County, Florida gardeners in May

A quick May briefing for Seminole County, Florida gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost February 3
Avg. first frost December 21
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Seminole County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 3 and the first fall frost is December 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 260 feet, Seminole County receives approximately 53.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Tatsoi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Tatsoi will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tatsoi root diseases.

Seminole County, FL (Zone 10a) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 3
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 21

Seminole County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (262 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 22 Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Feb 23 – Mar 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (251 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: Mar 10 – Apr 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (228 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – May 12

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 Seminole County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–5.9) is more acidic than Tatsoi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Tatsoi.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.5%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Tatsoi.

How to Plant Tatsoi

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 Tatsoi

11
successive plantings in your 321-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Nov 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 26.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,053 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 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Seminole 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 ~903 GDD — county provides 6,842 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline — Seminole County, FL

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 6 Jan 6 – Jan 20
Transplant Outdoors February 3 Feb 3 – Feb 17
Direct Sow January 13 Jan 13 – Feb 3
Harvest March 10 Mar 10 – Apr 14
Fall Sowing October 26 Oct 26 – Nov 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

35–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

321 days in Seminole County

Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Seminole County

Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after February 03 in Seminole County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Your generous 322.0-day season in Seminole County allows multiple plantings of Tatsoi. Sow every 17.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Tatsoi 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. 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 Seminole County, FL?

Seminole County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of February 3. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Seminole County, FL?

Seminole County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 3 and first fall frost is December 21.

🌱

Your Seminole County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Seminole County (Zone 10a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Seminole County, FL. 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.