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When to Plant Mizuna in Milam 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.

Milam County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 61 feet, Milam County receives approximately 65.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Milam County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Milam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (206 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: Mar 24 – Apr 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (199 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – May 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (201 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – May 26

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 Milam County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“8.3) is more alkaline than Mizuna prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (46% clay) in Milam County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). 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

10
successive plantings in your 262-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 12.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Milam 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 ~712 GDD — county provides 4,978 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Milam County, TX

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Harvest April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing September 12 Sep 12 โ€“ Sep 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

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 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

262 days in Milam County

Growing Tips for Mizuna in Milam County

Direct sow Mizuna outdoors after March 04 in Milam County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Milam County's clay soil (46% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Mizuna. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 262.0-day season in Milam 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 Milam County, TX?

Milam County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Milam County, TX?

Milam County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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