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When to Plant Mizuna in Ada County, ID

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.

Ada County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 4,372 feet, Ada County receives approximately 19.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mizuna successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Ada County, ID (Zone 6b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Ada County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 992 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Mizuna needs ~656 GDD — county provides 3,080 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Ada County, ID

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 25

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 โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

176 days

Growing Tips for Ada 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 Ada County, ID?

Ada County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ada County, ID?

Ada County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ada County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Ada County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.