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When to Plant Mizuna in Bennington County, VT

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.

Bennington County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 1,063 feet, Bennington County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season.

Bennington County, VT (Zone 5a) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Bennington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Jul 28

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 ~572 GDD — county provides 2,226 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline โ€” Bennington County, VT

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 14

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

146 days

Growing Tips for Bennington 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 Bennington County, VT?

Bennington County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bennington County, VT?

Bennington County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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