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When to Plant Tatsoi in Tyler County, TX

Tyler County, Texas Zone 9a May

May to-do list for Tyler County, Texas

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.

Avg. last frost March 6
Avg. first frost November 19
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Basket week: tatsoi

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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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.

Tyler County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 258 days.

At an elevation of 378 feet, Tyler County receives approximately 75.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°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.

Tyler County, TX (Zone 9a) Long season
258 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
258 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Tyler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (192 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 27 Transplant: Feb 24 🍅 Harvest: Mar 31 – May 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (188 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – May 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 8

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 Tyler County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.3) is more acidic than Tatsoi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Tyler 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 moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Tatsoi.

How to Plant Tatsoi

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Tatsoi

8
successive plantings in your 258-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 170 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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 11.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 13.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 9.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Tyler 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 ~903 GDD — county provides 5,482 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline — Tyler County, TX

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 – Mar 6
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 – May 15
Fall Sowing September 24 Sep 24 – Oct 8

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 Fall Sowing
November
December

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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

258 days in Tyler County

Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Tyler County

Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after March 06 in Tyler County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Your generous 258.0-day season in Tyler 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 Tyler County, TX?

Tyler County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tyler County, TX?

Tyler County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 19.

🌱

Your Tyler County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Tyler County (Zone 9a). 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 Tyler 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.