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When to Plant Tatsoi in San Francisco County, CA

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.

San Francisco County, California is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is February 23 and the first fall frost is November 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 412 feet, San Francisco County receives approximately 13.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Tatsoi successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

San Francisco County, CA (Zone 10b) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 23
277 growing days
First Fall Frost November 27

San Francisco County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (223 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 5 Transplant: Feb 2 🍅 Harvest: Mar 9 – Apr 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (207 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Mar 30 – May 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 15

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,363 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Tatsoi needs ~616 GDD — county provides 4,031 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline โ€” San Francisco County, CA

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 26 Jan 26 โ€“ Feb 9
Transplant Outdoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Direct Sow February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 23
Fall Sowing October 2 Oct 2 โ€“ Oct 16
Harvest March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ May 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

35โ€“50 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 10b

Growing Season

277 days

Growing Tips for San Francisco County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tatsoi in San Francisco County, CA?

San Francisco County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of February 23. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Francisco County, CA?

San Francisco County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is February 23 and first fall frost is November 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help San Francisco County gardeners in Zone 10b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 San Francisco County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.