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When to Plant Mizuna in Jackson County, FL

Jackson County, Florida Zone 9a May

May in the garden — Jackson County, Florida

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Jackson County, Florida this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 6
Avg. first frost November 19
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Basket week: mizuna

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

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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.

Jackson County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 258 days.

At an elevation of 223 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Mizuna will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Jackson County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
258 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
258 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19
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Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (194 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – May 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (195 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – May 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (200 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – May 29

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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.0) is more acidic than Mizuna prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Jackson County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Mizuna will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Mizuna.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.3%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Mizuna.

How to Plant Mizuna

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mizuna

10
successive plantings in your 258-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 05 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,407 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Jackson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — 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.

Mizuna needs ~712 GDD — county provides 4,902 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline — Jackson County, FL

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 – Mar 6
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 – May 8
Fall Sowing September 24 Sep 24 – Oct 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

30–45 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

258 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Mizuna in Jackson County

Direct sow Mizuna outdoors after March 06 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Jackson County dries quickly — mulch Mizuna with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your generous 258.0-day season in Jackson 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 Jackson County, FL?

Jackson County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, FL?

Jackson County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 19.

🌱

Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Jackson County (Zone 9a). 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 Jackson County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.