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When to Plant Mitsuba in Addison County, VT

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.

Addison County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 1,052 feet, Addison County receives approximately 46.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mitsuba to ensure they mature before fall.

Addison County, VT (Zone 4b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Addison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mitsuba needs ~600 GDD — county provides 1,410 GDD Excellent fit

Mitsuba Planting Timeline โ€” Addison County, VT

Mitsuba Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Jul 24
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

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 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 4b

Growing Season

141 days

Growing Tips for Addison 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 Addison County, VT?

Addison County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Mitsuba planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Addison County, VT?

Addison County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Addison County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Addison County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.