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When to Plant Tatsoi in Wayne County, WV

Wayne County, West Virginia Zone 7a May

May to-do list for Wayne County, West Virginia

Your Wayne County, West Virginia garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Start tatsoi indoors

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

  2. It's harvest week for tatsoi

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • First harvests: tatsoi

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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.

Wayne County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 4,000 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 45.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season.

Wayne County, WV (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12

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 Wayne County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Tatsoi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help 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

6
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 18.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 11 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 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wayne 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 ~744 GDD — county provides 3,395 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline — Wayne County, WV

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 23
Harvest May 21 May 21 – Jun 25
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 – Sep 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

35–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Wayne County

Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after April 16 in Wayne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 194.0-day season in Wayne 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 Wayne County, WV?

Wayne County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, WV?

Wayne County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 27.

🌱

Your Wayne County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Wayne 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.

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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 Wayne County, WV. 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.