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When to Plant Tatsoi in Sutton 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.

Sutton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,068 feet, Sutton County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Tatsoi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Sutton County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Sutton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 26

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 361 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Tatsoi needs ~1,158 GDD — county provides 6,185 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline โ€” Sutton County, TX

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Apr 4
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ Jun 6

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 Direct Sow
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 8a

Growing Season

227 days

Growing Tips for Sutton 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 Sutton County, TX?

Sutton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sutton County, TX?

Sutton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sutton County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Sutton County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.