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When to Plant Komatsuna in Dickson County, TN

Dickson County, Tennessee Zone 7b May

May in the garden — Dickson County, Tennessee

Here's what deserves your attention in Dickson County, Tennessee this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 4
Avg. first frost October 29
Soil temp (4") 65°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: komatsuna

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

  2. Basket week: komatsuna

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

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.

Dickson County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 2,147 feet, Dickson County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Komatsuna root diseases.

Dickson County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Dickson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 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 Dickson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) overlaps with Komatsuna's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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

7
successive plantings in your 208-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 20.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Dickson 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 ~808 GDD — county provides 3,952 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline — Dickson County, TN

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest May 9 May 9 – Jun 13
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 – Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

208 days in Dickson County

Growing Tips for Komatsuna in Dickson County

Direct sow Komatsuna outdoors after April 04 in Dickson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 208.0-day season in Dickson 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 Dickson County, TN?

Dickson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dickson County, TN?

Dickson County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 29.

🌱

Your Dickson County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Dickson County (Zone 7b). 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 Dickson County, TN. 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.