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When to Plant Mizuna in Wayne County, IL

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.

Wayne County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 924 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 35.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season.

Wayne County, IL (Zone 6a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 22

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 556 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mizuna needs ~516 GDD — county provides 2,777 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, IL

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jun 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May 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 6a

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Wayne 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 Wayne County, IL?

Wayne County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, IL?

Wayne County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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