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When to Plant Mitsuba in De Soto Parish, LA

Mitsuba (Japanese parsley) is a shade-loving herb with trefoil leaves and a mild celery-parsley flavor. It is essential in Japanese cuisine for soups, salads, and garnishes.

De Soto Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 250 days.

At an elevation of 327 feet, De Soto Parish receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mitsuba during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mitsuba root diseases.

De Soto Parish, LA (Zone 8a) Long season
250 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
250 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

De Soto Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 941 gal / 100 sq ft
Mitsuba needs ~1,230 GDD — county provides 5,125 GDD Excellent fit

Mitsuba Planting Timeline โ€” De Soto Parish, LA

Mitsuba Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 18
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jun 24

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

250 days

Growing Tips for De Soto Parish

Direct sow or start indoors in partial shade. Mitsuba prefers cool, moist conditions. Harvest outer stems as needed. Self-sows readily in shaded garden areas.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mitsuba in De Soto Parish, LA?

De Soto Parish is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Mitsuba planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is De Soto Parish, LA?

De Soto Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help De Soto Parish 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 De Soto Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.