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When to Plant Mizuna in Winnebago 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.

Winnebago County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 520 feet, Winnebago County receives approximately 32.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mizuna to ensure they mature before fall.

Winnebago County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Winnebago County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jun 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 12

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 226 gal / 100 sq ft
Mizuna needs ~488 GDD — county provides 2,093 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Winnebago County, IA

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing
August โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Winnebago 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 Winnebago County, IA?

Winnebago County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Winnebago County, IA?

Winnebago County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Winnebago County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Winnebago County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.