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When to Plant Tatsoi in Robertson 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.

Robertson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 254 days.

At an elevation of 85 feet, Robertson County receives approximately 61.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Tatsoi, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tatsoi root diseases.

Robertson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
254 days
Last Spring Frost March 7
254 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Robertson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (186 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – May 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (184 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Apr 11 – May 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (178 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 16

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 Robertson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“8.0) overlaps with Tatsoi's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (45% clay) in Robertson County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). Annual compost additions will help Tatsoi.

How to Plant Tatsoi

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Tatsoi

8
successive plantings in your 254-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 27 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 07.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Tatsoi

Tatsoi needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Tatsoi Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 10" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 8.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Robertson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Tatsoi 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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.

Tatsoi needs ~839 GDD — county provides 5,016 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline โ€” Robertson County, TX

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 โ€“ Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Direct Sow February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 14
Harvest April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 16
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

35โ€“50 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

254 days in Robertson County

Growing Tips for Tatsoi in Robertson County

Direct sow Tatsoi outdoors after March 07 in Robertson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Robertson County's clay soil (45% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Tatsoi. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 254.0-day season in Robertson 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tatsoi in Robertson County, TX?

Robertson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 7. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Robertson County, TX?

Robertson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Robertson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.