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When to Plant Mizuna in Warren County, IA

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.

Warren County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 853 feet, Warren County receives approximately 30.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season.

Warren County, IA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Warren County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 13

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 337 gal / 100 sq ft
Mizuna needs ~572 GDD — county provides 2,531 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Warren County, IA

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Aug 14
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jun 28

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 Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing
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 5a

Growing Season

166 days

Growing Tips for Warren 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 Warren County, IA?

Warren County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, IA?

Warren County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Warren County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Warren County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.