When to Plant Komatsuna in Lauderdale County, TN
Your May planting checklist for Lauderdale County, Tennessee
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Sow komatsuna in trays indoors
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
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Start harvesting komatsuna
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: komatsuna
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.
Lauderdale County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.
At an elevation of 2,139 feet, Lauderdale County receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Komatsuna during the growing season.
Lauderdale County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.8
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 Lauderdale County
How your county's soil matches Komatsuna's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Komatsuna's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lauderdale County is excellent for Komatsuna — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Komatsuna.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Komatsuna.
How to Plant Komatsuna
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Komatsuna
Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 13 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 24.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.2" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lauderdale 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 Planting Timeline — Lauderdale County, TN
Komatsuna Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 22 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Direct Sow | March 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 5 |
| Harvest | May 3 | May 3 – Jun 7 |
| Fall Sowing | August 24 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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 8a
📆 Growing Season
218 days in Lauderdale County
Growing Tips for Komatsuna in Lauderdale County
Direct sow Komatsuna outdoors after March 29 in Lauderdale County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 218.0-day season in Lauderdale 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Komatsuna in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Komatsuna in Lauderdale County, TN?
Lauderdale County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lauderdale County, TN?
Lauderdale County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 2.
Your Lauderdale County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lauderdale 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.