When to Plant Tatsoi in Craig County, VA
May in the garden — Craig County, Virginia
Your garden in Craig County, Virginia is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Start tatsoi indoors
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
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Collect tatsoi at their peak
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: tatsoi
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.
Craig County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.
At an elevation of 460 feet, Craig County receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season.
Craig County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-6.8
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 Craig County
How your county's soil matches Tatsoi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–6.8) overlaps with Tatsoi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Craig County is excellent for Tatsoi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Tatsoi.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Tatsoi.
How to Plant Tatsoi
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Tatsoi
Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 30 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 10.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Craig 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 Planting Timeline — Craig County, VA
Tatsoi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Direct Sow | April 12 | Apr 12 – May 3 |
| Harvest | May 31 | May 31 – Jul 5 |
| Fall Sowing | August 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| 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 7a
📆 Growing Season
176 days in Craig County
Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Craig County
Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after April 26 in Craig County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 176.0-day season in Craig 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Tatsoi in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Tatsoi in Craig County, VA?
Craig County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Craig County, VA?
Craig County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 19.
Your Craig County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Craig County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.