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When to Plant Mizuna in Waldo County, ME

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.

Waldo County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 966 feet, Waldo County receives approximately 46 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.

Waldo County, ME (Zone 5a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Waldo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 23

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mizuna needs ~488 GDD — county provides 1,963 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Waldo County, ME

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 22
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Aug 11
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jul 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

151 days

Growing Tips for Waldo 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 Waldo County, ME?

Waldo County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Waldo County, ME?

Waldo County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 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 Waldo 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 Waldo County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.