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When to Plant Mizuna in Placer County, CA

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.

Placer County, California is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 651 feet, Placer County receives approximately 25.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season.

Placer County, CA (Zone 8a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
201 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Placer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 23 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Jul 30

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,656 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mizuna needs ~516 GDD — county provides 2,763 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Placer County, CA

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 24

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" 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 Harvest
June Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Placer 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 Placer County, CA?

Placer County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Placer County, CA?

Placer County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is November 9.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Placer County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Placer County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.