Tatsoi in Zone 8a & 8b
Brassica rapa var. rosularis
Yes, tatsoi grows in zones 8a and 8b. Plant it outside Mar 4–Mar 11.
When to plant tatsoi in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 4–Mar 11 |
| Estimated harvest | Apr 18–Apr 25 (~45 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-8 in.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of tatsoi in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionMar 4–Mar 11
- CarrotMar 4–Mar 11
- CabbageMar 11–Mar 18
- LettuceMar 11–Mar 18
- BeetMar 4–Mar 11
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)Mar 4–Mar 11
Tatsoi is a close relative of bok choy, grown for its low, spoon-shaped rosette of dark green leaves. It's one of the more cold-hardy Asian greens, making it a reliable choice for a late-fall harvest.
How tatsoi fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Tatsoi needs about 45 days from sowing to first harvest.
Tatsoi planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Not usually | Apr 29–May 6 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | Jun 23–Jun 30 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | Jun 8–Jun 15 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 19–Apr 26 | Jun 3–Jun 10 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 4–Apr 11 | May 19–May 26 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 4–May 11 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Not usually | Mar 4–Mar 11 | Apr 18–Apr 25 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 11–Mar 18 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 9–Jan 16 | Feb 23–Mar 2 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Dec 11–Dec 18 | Jan 25–Feb 1 |
Harvest dates are about 45 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
- Radish: Radish (including the daikon form) is a documented trap crop for flea beetles, which prefer its mustard oils over other brassicas and can be sacrificed or pulled once infested: the same research cited on the radish page.
Where to buy tatsoi seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's tatsoi seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing tatsoi" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Tatsoi in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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