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When to Plant Tatsoi in Middlesex County, VA

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.

Middlesex County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 812 feet, Middlesex County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season.

Middlesex County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Middlesex County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jun 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (145 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
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

Tatsoi needs ~712 GDD — county provides 3,634 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline โ€” Middlesex County, VA

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 8
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Sep 9
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jun 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

217 days

Growing Tips for Middlesex 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 Middlesex County, VA?

Middlesex County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Middlesex County, VA?

Middlesex County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Middlesex County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.