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When to plant Mizuna in Macon County, IL

Spring Mizuna in Macon County goes in March 30–April 20, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from August 10 to August 24 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mizuna in Macon County, IL

Macon County, Illinois Zone 6a June

June in the garden — Macon County, Illinois

Your garden in Macon County, Illinois is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 19
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Pick 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.

Macon County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 1,064 feet, Macon County receives approximately 31.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season.

Macon County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Macon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Mizuna Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jun 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 Macon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.1) is within Mizuna's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Macon County is excellent for Mizuna — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Mizuna will thrive.

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

7
successive plantings in your 189-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 04 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 10.

Mizuna Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 512 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Macon 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 ~544 GDD — county provides 2,740 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline — Macon County, IL

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jun 15
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 – Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

189 days in Macon County

Growing Tips for Mizuna in Macon County

Direct sow Mizuna outdoors after April 13 in Macon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 189.0-day season in Macon 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 Macon County, IL?

Macon County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Macon County, IL?

Macon County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 19.

When should I plant Mizuna in Macon County, IL?

In Macon County, IL, plant Mizuna after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Macon County, IL for Mizuna?

Macon County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Mizuna grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mizuna grow in Macon County's climate?

Yes — Mizuna grows well in Macon County's temperate climate. Macon County averages a 189-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 19.

🌱

Your Macon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Macon County (Zone 6a). 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 Macon County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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