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When to Plant Komatsuna in Lincoln County, NV

Lincoln County, Nevada Zone 8a May

May to-do list for Lincoln County, Nevada

May is a pivotal month for Lincoln County, Nevada gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 19
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 46°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: komatsuna

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

  2. Harvest komatsuna as they ripen

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • 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.

Lincoln County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 5,852 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 11.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Komatsuna may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Komatsuna will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Komatsuna successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lincoln County, NV (Zone 8a) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27

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 Lincoln County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0–8.8) is more alkaline than Komatsuna prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Komatsuna.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 180-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 27 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 07.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,983 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lincoln 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 ~903 GDD — county provides 3,825 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, NV

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 7 Aug 7 – Aug 21

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

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_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

180 days in Lincoln County

Growing Tips for Komatsuna in Lincoln County

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

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

Your generous 180.0-day season in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County receives only 12" of rain annually. Komatsuna needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Lincoln County, NV?

Lincoln County is in Zone 8a 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 Lincoln County, NV?

Lincoln County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 16.

🌱

Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, NV. 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.