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When to Plant Mizuna in Worth 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.

Worth County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 160 days.

At an elevation of 886 feet, Worth County receives approximately 39.8 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.

Worth County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
160 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
160 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Worth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mizuna needs ~488 GDD — county provides 2,080 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Worth County, IA

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 2

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
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
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

160 days

Growing Tips for Worth 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 Worth County, IA?

Worth County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Worth County, IA?

Worth County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Worth 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 Worth County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.