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When to Plant Mitsuba in Racine County, WI

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.

Racine County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 513 feet, Racine County receives approximately 39 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.

Racine County, WI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Racine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 73 gal / 100 sq ft
Mitsuba needs ~780 GDD — county provides 2,236 GDD Excellent fit

Mitsuba Planting Timeline โ€” Racine County, WI

Mitsuba Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Aug 18
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July 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 5b

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Racine 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 Racine County, WI?

Racine County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Mitsuba planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Racine County, WI?

Racine County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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