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When to Plant Komatsuna in Fulton County, GA

Fulton County, Georgia Zone 8a May

This month in Fulton County, Georgia

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Fulton County, Georgia.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for komatsuna

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

June prep starts now
  • First harvests: komatsuna

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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.

Fulton County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 457 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 53.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Komatsuna, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Komatsuna root diseases.

Fulton County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – May 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 20

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 Fulton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.5) overlaps with Komatsuna's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Fulton County is excellent for Komatsuna — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Komatsuna.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Komatsuna.

How to Plant Komatsuna

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 Komatsuna

7
successive plantings in your 228-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 28.

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

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 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Fulton 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 ~744 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline — Fulton County, GA

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 30
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 – Jun 1
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 – Sep 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 8a

📆 Growing Season

228 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Komatsuna in Fulton County

Direct sow Komatsuna outdoors after March 23 in Fulton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Fulton County's clay soil (26% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Komatsuna. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 228.0-day season in Fulton 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 Fulton County, GA?

Fulton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, GA?

Fulton County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Fulton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Fulton County (Zone 8a). 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 Fulton County, GA. 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.