When to Plant Tatsoi in Allegany County, NY
Your May planting checklist for Allegany County, New York
A quick May briefing for Allegany County, New York gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Get tatsoi in the ground
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
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Plant tatsoi from seed, right in the garden
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
June prep starts now
- 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.
Allegany County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.
At an elevation of 778 feet, Allegany County receives approximately 47.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season.
Allegany County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
4.8-6.3
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 Allegany County
How your county's soil matches Tatsoi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.8–6.3) is more acidic than Tatsoi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Allegany County is excellent for Tatsoi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). 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 16 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 27.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Allegany 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 — Allegany County, NY
Tatsoi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 12 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 17 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Harvest | June 21 | Jun 21 – Jul 26 |
| Fall Sowing | July 27 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
141 days in Allegany County
Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Allegany County
Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after May 17 in Allegany County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 141.0-day season in Allegany 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 Allegany County, NY?
Allegany County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Allegany County, NY?
Allegany County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 5.
Your Allegany County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Allegany 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.