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When to Plant Mizuna in Franklin County, AL

Mizuna is a mild-flavored Japanese mustard green with feathery, deeply serrated leaves. It is fast-growing and makes an excellent addition to salads and stir-fries.

Franklin County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 105 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 56.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Mizuna, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mizuna root diseases.

Franklin County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – May 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 17

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
Mizuna needs ~628 GDD — county provides 3,735 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, AL

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 27

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" 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 Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
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

30โ€“45 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

223 days

Growing Tips for Franklin County

Direct sow in spring or fall. Harvest outer leaves as needed for a cut-and-come-again approach. Mizuna is one of the most cold-tolerant Asian greens.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mizuna in Franklin County, AL?

Franklin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, AL?

Franklin County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin 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 Franklin County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.