Tatsoi in Zone 9a & 9b
Brassica rapa var. rosularis
Yes, tatsoi grows in zones 9a and 9b. Plant it outside Jan 25–Feb 1.
When to plant tatsoi in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Jan 25–Feb 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Mar 11–Mar 18 (~45 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-8 in.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of tatsoi in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionJan 25–Feb 1
- CarrotJan 25–Feb 1
- CabbageFeb 1–Feb 8
- LettuceFeb 1–Feb 8
- BeetJan 25–Feb 1
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)Jan 25–Feb 1
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Tatsoi needs about 45 days from sowing to first harvest.
Tatsoi planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 | Not usually | Mar 4–Mar 11 | Apr 18–Apr 25 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | 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 →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Tatsoi in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest