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When to Plant Mizuna in Marion 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.

Marion County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 387 feet, Marion County receives approximately 56.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Marion County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – May 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – May 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (160 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 ~741 GDD — county provides 4,424 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, AL

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Sep 10
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 28

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

224 days

Growing Tips for Marion 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 Marion County, AL?

Marion County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, AL?

Marion County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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