When to plant Tatsoi in Temperate Australia
Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.
Sow tatsoi direct from February to May and again from September to November, covering seed with about 5 mm of soil. This fast Asian green germinates in just 4–7 days and is ready to harvest in 45–60 days, making it one of the quickest crops in the patch. Space or thin plants to 20–25 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart, or grow it closer for cut-and-come-again baby leaves. As a hardy brassica that loves cool weather, tatsoi suits the mild autumns and springs of temperate gardens in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney.
Sowing calendar — temperate zone
Green months are your sowing window: February to May and September to November.
Growing notes
Tatsoi is a cool-season Asian green grown for its glossy, spoon-shaped leaves, and it is genuinely fast and forgiving. The two windows, February to May in autumn and September to November in spring, keep it in the cool weather it prefers and away from the heat that triggers bolting.
Bolting is in fact the main failure mode. In a warm temperate spell, or if plants are stressed by drought, tatsoi runs to seed and turns bitter within days. Sow into the cooler shoulders of the season, keep the soil evenly moist, and harvest promptly rather than leaving mature plants standing. For a steady supply, sow a short row every two to three weeks.
As a brassica, tatsoi is a target for cabbage white caterpillars, flea beetle and slugs, all of which can shred the tender leaves. Exclusion netting over the bed is the cleanest fix and keeps cabbage moth off entirely; it also foils flea beetle, whose shot-hole damage is worst on young seedlings. You can harvest tatsoi two ways: pick outer leaves as a cut-and-come-again crop from closely spaced plants, or grow at the full 20–25 cm spacing and cut whole rosettes. Either way it is quick from seed to plate, so keep sowing little and often through the cool months.
Tatsoi at a glance
| Sowing depth | 5 mm |
|---|---|
| Plant spacing | 20-25 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Germination | 4-7 days |
| Days to maturity | 45-60 days |
| Frost tolerance | Hardy |
| Method | Sow Direct,Raise Seedlings |
Common questions
- How fast does tatsoi grow?
- Very fast. It germinates in 4–7 days and is ready to harvest in 45–60 days, so it is one of the quickest greens you can grow. Sow little and often through the cool months for a continuous supply.
- Why is my tatsoi bolting to seed?
- Heat and stress. Tatsoi is a cool-season green that runs to seed and turns bitter in warm weather or if it dries out. Stick to the autumn and spring windows, keep the soil evenly moist, and harvest before plants mature fully.
- When can I sow tatsoi in Melbourne?
- Sow direct from February to May or from September to November. These cool shoulder seasons suit Melbourne's temperate climate and keep the crop away from the summer heat that causes bolting.
- Do I need to net tatsoi?
- It is well worth it. As a brassica, tatsoi is targeted by cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetle that shred the young leaves. Exclusion netting over the bed keeps them off cleanly without sprays.
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