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When to Plant Tatsoi in Harrison County, TX

Harrison County, Texas Zone 8b May

This month in Harrison County, Texas

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Harrison County, Texas.

Avg. last frost March 13
Avg. first frost November 14
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for tatsoi

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

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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.

Harrison County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 168 feet, Harrison County receives approximately 63.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Tatsoi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Tatsoi will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tatsoi root diseases.

Harrison County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14
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Harrison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (174 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – May 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (176 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 14

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 Harrison County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.8) overlaps with Tatsoi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Tatsoi.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Tatsoi.

How to Plant Tatsoi

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 Tatsoi

8
successive plantings in your 246-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 05.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 461 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 11" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Harrison 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 needs ~935 GDD — county provides 5,412 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline — Harrison County, TX

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 20
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 – May 22
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 – Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

35–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

246 days in Harrison County

Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Harrison County

Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after March 13 in Harrison County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

With summer highs reaching 96°F in Harrison County, provide afternoon shade for Tatsoi and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 246.0-day season in Harrison 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

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tatsoi in Harrison County, TX?

Harrison County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harrison County, TX?

Harrison County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 14.

🌱

Your Harrison County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Harrison County (Zone 8b). 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 Harrison County, TX. 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.