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When to Plant Mitsuba in Middlesex County, NJ

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.

Middlesex County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 947 feet, Middlesex County receives approximately 45.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mitsuba during the growing season.

Middlesex County, NJ (Zone 7a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Middlesex County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 328 gal / 100 sq ft
Mitsuba needs ~1,230 GDD — county provides 4,674 GDD Excellent fit

Mitsuba Planting Timeline โ€” Middlesex County, NJ

Mitsuba Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Apr 5
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jul 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Middlesex 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 Middlesex County, NJ?

Middlesex County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Mitsuba planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Middlesex County, NJ?

Middlesex County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Middlesex County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Middlesex County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.