When to Plant Tatsoi in Bear Lake County, ID
Your May planting checklist for Bear Lake County, Idaho
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Time to transplant tatsoi
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
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Scatter tatsoi into prepared beds
Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: tatsoi
- First harvests: tatsoi
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.
Bear Lake County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.
At an elevation of 5,220 feet, Bear Lake County receives approximately 18.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Tatsoi to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Tatsoi successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Bear Lake County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-8.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Bear Lake County
How your county's soil matches Tatsoi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–8.2) overlaps with Tatsoi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Bear Lake 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
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Tatsoi
Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 16.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.1" | 3.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Bear Lake 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 Planting Timeline — Bear Lake County, ID
Tatsoi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 19 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 24 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Direct Sow | May 10 | May 10 – May 31 |
| Harvest | June 28 | Jun 28 – Aug 2 |
| Fall Sowing | July 16 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
123 days in Bear Lake County
Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Bear Lake County
Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after May 24 in Bear Lake 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.
Bear Lake County receives only 19" 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Tatsoi in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Tatsoi in Bear Lake County, ID?
Bear Lake County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 24. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Bear Lake County, ID?
Bear Lake County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 24 and first fall frost is September 24.
Your Bear Lake County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Bear Lake 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.