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When to Plant Mizuna in Bastrop County, TX

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.

Bastrop County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 3,716 feet, Bastrop County receives approximately 57 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Mizuna, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mizuna root diseases.

Bastrop County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 27
277 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Bastrop County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.2-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (216 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Mar 20 – Apr 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (214 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – May 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (203 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – May 24

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.

Soil Compatibility in Bastrop County

How your county's soil matches Mizuna's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2โ€“7.9) is more alkaline than Mizuna prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (47% clay) in Bastrop County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Mizuna.

How to Plant Mizuna

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mizuna

11
successive plantings in your 277-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 22.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 412 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Mizuna

Mizuna needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mizuna Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Bastrop County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mizuna Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Mizuna needs ~684 GDD — county provides 5,073 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Bastrop County, TX

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Mar 6
Harvest April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing September 22 Sep 22 โ€“ Oct 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

30โ€“45 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

277 days in Bastrop County

Growing Tips for Mizuna in Bastrop County

Direct sow Mizuna outdoors after February 27 in Bastrop County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Bastrop County's clay soil (47% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Mizuna. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 278.0-day season in Bastrop County allows multiple plantings of Mizuna. Sow every 15.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Mizuna in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mizuna in Bastrop County, TX?

Bastrop County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 27. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bastrop County, TX?

Bastrop County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bastrop County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Bastrop County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.