Blog

When to Plant Tatsoi in Montgomery County, MD

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.

Montgomery County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 661 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season.

Montgomery County, MD (Zone 7a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 19

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tatsoi needs ~839 GDD — county provides 3,693 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline โ€” Montgomery County, MD

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, MD?

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

What planting zone is Montgomery County, MD?

Montgomery County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montgomery County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Montgomery County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.