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When to plant Mitsuba in Five Points, AL

Five Points's spring Mitsuba window runs March 23 through April 13. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. A second sowing from August 20 to September 3 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mitsuba in Five Points, AL

Chambers County, Alabama Zone 8a June

Top priorities for Chambers County, Alabama gardeners in June

A quick June briefing for Chambers County, Alabama gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 29
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Collect mitsuba at their peak

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: mitsuba

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Mitsuba (Japanese parsley) is a shade-loving herb with trefoil leaves and a mild celery-parsley flavor. It is essential in Japanese cuisine for soups, salads, and garnishes.

Five Points, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 375 feet, Chambers County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Mitsuba during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Mitsuba, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mitsuba root diseases.

Five Points, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Five Points Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Mitsuba Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3

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 Five Points

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.4) is more acidic than Mitsuba prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Chambers County is excellent for Mitsuba — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Mitsuba.

How to Plant Mitsuba

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

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

Succession Planting Mitsuba

4
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 20.

Mitsuba 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 Mitsuba

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

Month Mitsuba Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Chambers County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mitsuba 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" — every day above 50°F 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.

Mitsuba needs ~1,185 GDD — county provides 4,068 GDD Excellent fit

Mitsuba Planting Timeline — Five Points, AL

Mitsuba Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 13
Harvest May 25 May 25 – Jul 20
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 – Sep 3

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Chambers County

Growing Tips for Mitsuba in Five Points

Direct sow Mitsuba outdoors after April 06 in Chambers County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Chambers County's clay soil (29% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Mitsuba. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Mitsuba in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow or start indoors in partial shade. Mitsuba prefers cool, moist conditions. Harvest outer stems as needed. Self-sows readily in shaded garden areas.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Mitsuba in Five Points, AL?

In Five Points, AL, plant Mitsuba after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around October 29). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Five Points, AL for Mitsuba?

Five Points sits in USDA Zone 8a. Mitsuba grows reliably in zones 4a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mitsuba grow in Five Points's climate?

Yes — Mitsuba grows well in Five Points's temperate climate. Five Points averages a 206-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around October 29.

🌱

Your Chambers County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Chambers County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Chambers County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.