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When to Plant Tatsoi in Refugio 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.

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 293 days.

At an elevation of 1,000 feet, Refugio County receives approximately 68.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Tatsoi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tatsoi root diseases.

Refugio County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
293 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
293 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Refugio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (230 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 5 Transplant: Feb 2 🍅 Harvest: Mar 9 – Apr 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (223 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Mar 23 – Apr 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (215 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – May 21

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 Refugio County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.2) is within Tatsoi's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Refugio County is excellent for Tatsoi โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). Annual compost additions will help Tatsoi.

How to Plant Tatsoi

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Tatsoi

10
successive plantings in your 293-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 11.

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 60 gal / 100 sq ft
Tatsoi needs ~1,158 GDD — county provides 8,011 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline โ€” Refugio County, TX

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 2
Transplant Outdoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Direct Sow January 26 Jan 26 โ€“ Feb 16
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 โ€“ Oct 25
Harvest March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

35โ€“50 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

293 days in Refugio County

Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Refugio County

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

With summer highs reaching 103ยฐF in Refugio County, provide afternoon shade for Tatsoi and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 294.0-day season in Refugio 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tatsoi in Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Refugio County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Refugio County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.