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When to Plant Komatsuna in Gentry County, MO

Gentry County, Missouri Zone 6a May

Top priorities for Gentry County, Missouri gardeners in May

Here's what deserves your attention in Gentry County, Missouri this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 19
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Get komatsuna seeds going inside

    You're about 23 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. Harvest komatsuna as they ripen

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

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.

Gentry County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 702 feet, Gentry County receives approximately 41.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season.

Gentry County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15
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Gentry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 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 Gentry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.7) overlaps with Komatsuna's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). 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

6
successive plantings in your 179-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 06.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 53 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Gentry 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 2,595 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline — Gentry County, MO

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 – May 3
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 26
Harvest May 24 May 24 – Jun 28
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 – Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

35–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

179 days in Gentry County

Growing Tips for Komatsuna in Gentry County

Direct sow Komatsuna outdoors after April 19 in Gentry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 179.0-day season in Gentry 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 Gentry County, MO?

Gentry County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gentry County, MO?

Gentry County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 15.

🌱

Your Gentry County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Gentry County (Zone 6a). 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 Gentry County, MO. 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.