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When to Plant Mizuna in Yolo 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.

Yolo County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.

At an elevation of 163 feet, Yolo County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Mizuna may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat.

Yolo County, CA (Zone 9a) Year-round
297 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
297 growing days
First Fall Frost December 3

Yolo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (242 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 28 Transplant: Jan 25 🍅 Harvest: Mar 1 – Mar 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (234 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: Mar 16 – Apr 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (218 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,940 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Mizuna needs ~797 GDD — county provides 6,332 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Yolo County, CA

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 12 Jan 12 โ€“ Jan 26
Transplant Outdoors February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Feb 23
Direct Sow January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 9
Fall Sowing October 8 Oct 8 โ€“ Oct 22
Harvest March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 13

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

297 days

Growing Tips for Yolo 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 Yolo County, CA?

Yolo County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 9. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yolo County, CA?

Yolo County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Yolo County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Yolo County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.