When to Plant Tatsoi in Hamilton County, NE
May in the garden — Hamilton County, Nebraska
A quick May briefing for Hamilton County, Nebraska gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Sow tatsoi in trays indoors
You're about 23 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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Start harvesting tatsoi
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- 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.
Hamilton County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.
At an elevation of 861 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season.
Hamilton County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.5
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 Hamilton County
How your county's soil matches Tatsoi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.5) is within Tatsoi's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Hamilton County is excellent for Tatsoi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Tatsoi.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). 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 21 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 01.
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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Hamilton 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 — Hamilton County, NE
Tatsoi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | May 30 | May 30 – Jul 4 |
| Fall Sowing | August 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
168 days in Hamilton County
Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Hamilton County
Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after April 25 in Hamilton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 168.0-day season in Hamilton 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Tatsoi in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Tatsoi in Hamilton County, NE?
Hamilton County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hamilton County, NE?
Hamilton County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 10.
Your Hamilton County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Hamilton County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.