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When to Plant Mitsuba in Wexford County, MI

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.

Wexford County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,167 feet, Wexford County receives approximately 35.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mitsuba to ensure they mature before fall.

Wexford County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Wexford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 25 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mitsuba needs ~780 GDD — county provides 1,820 GDD Excellent fit

Mitsuba Planting Timeline โ€” Wexford County, MI

Mitsuba Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Aug 9
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 5a

Growing Season

140 days

Growing Tips for Wexford County

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 Wexford County, MI?

Wexford County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Mitsuba planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wexford County, MI?

Wexford County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wexford County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Wexford County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.