Blog

When to Plant Tatsoi in Ector County, TX

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.

Ector County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 3,652 feet, Ector County receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Tatsoi will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Ector County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Ector County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (163 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 27

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 515 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Tatsoi needs ~839 GDD — county provides 4,601 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline โ€” Ector County, TX

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ Jun 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

233 days

Growing Tips for Ector 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 Ector County, TX?

Ector County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ector County, TX?

Ector County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ector County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Ector County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.