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When to Plant Komatsuna in Trempealeau County, WI

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin Zone 4b May

May in the garden — Trempealeau County, Wisconsin

May is a pivotal month for Trempealeau County, Wisconsin gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 15
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 52°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Time to transplant komatsuna

    Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.

  2. Outdoor sowing time: komatsuna

    Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: komatsuna
  • First harvests: komatsuna

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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.

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 1,222 feet, Trempealeau County receives approximately 39.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Komatsuna to ensure they mature before fall.

Trempealeau County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30
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Trempealeau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 31

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 Trempealeau County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.2) overlaps with Komatsuna's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Komatsuna will thrive.

How to Plant Komatsuna

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Komatsuna

4
successive plantings in your 138-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 08.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Trempealeau 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 needs ~457 GDD — county provides 1,483 GDD Excellent fit

Komatsuna Planting Timeline — Trempealeau County, WI

Komatsuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 – May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 – May 29
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 – Jul 24
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 – Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August
September
October
November
December
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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 4b

📆 Growing Season

138 days in Trempealeau County

Growing Tips for Komatsuna in Trempealeau County

Direct sow Komatsuna outdoors after May 15 in Trempealeau County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 138.0-day season in Trempealeau 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

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Komatsuna in Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Komatsuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 30.

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Your Trempealeau County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Trempealeau County (Zone 4b). 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 Trempealeau County, WI. 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.