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When to Plant Komatsuna in Warren County, NY

Warren County, New York Zone 5a May

Top priorities for Warren County, New York gardeners in May

Welcome to May in Zone 5a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost October 1
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Time to transplant komatsuna

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • Starting indoors: komatsuna
  • 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.

Warren County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,049 feet, Warren County receives approximately 45.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Komatsuna to ensure they mature before fall.

Warren County, NY (Zone 5a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1
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Warren County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9

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 Warren County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–6.7) is more acidic than Komatsuna prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 140-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 23.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Warren 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 ~489 GDD — county provides 1,610 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline — Warren County, NY

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 – May 28
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 – May 21
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 – Jul 23
Fall Sowing July 23 Jul 23 – Aug 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December
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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 5a

📆 Growing Season

140 days in Warren County

Growing Tips for Komatsuna in Warren County

Direct sow Komatsuna outdoors after May 14 in Warren County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 140.0-day season in Warren 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 Warren County, NY?

Warren County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, NY?

Warren County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

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Your Warren County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Warren 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.

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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 Warren County, NY. 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.