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When to Plant Tatsoi in Thurston County, WA

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.

Thurston County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 213 feet, Thurston County receives approximately 37.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tatsoi during the growing season.

Thurston County, WA (Zone 8a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Thurston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 359 gal / 100 sq ft
Tatsoi needs ~712 GDD — county provides 3,299 GDD Excellent fit

Tatsoi Planting Timeline โ€” Thurston County, WA

Tatsoi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
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 8a

Growing Season

197 days

Growing Tips for Thurston 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 Thurston County, WA?

Thurston County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Tatsoi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Thurston County, WA?

Thurston County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Thurston 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 Thurston County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.