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When to plant Mitsuba in Weldon, IL

The best window to plant Mitsuba in Weldon, is April 1–April 22, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 15; first frost October 17. A second sowing from August 8 to August 22 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mitsuba in Weldon, IL

DeWitt County, Illinois Zone 6a August

August in the garden — DeWitt County, Illinois

August is a pivotal month for DeWitt County, Illinois gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Get mitsuba in for a late-season harvest

    Keep young seedlings shaded and moist in summer heat. A row of taller crops works as natural shade.

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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.

Weldon, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 801 feet, DeWitt County receives approximately 31.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mitsuba to ensure they mature before fall.

Weldon, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Weldon Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Mitsuba Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11

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 Weldon

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.0) is within Mitsuba's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Mitsuba.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Mitsuba will thrive.

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 185-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

Mitsuba Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 952 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in DeWitt 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 ~780 GDD — county provides 2,405 GDD Excellent fit

Mitsuba Planting Timeline — Weldon, IL

Mitsuba Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 – Jul 29
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
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

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

185 days in DeWitt County

Growing Tips for Mitsuba in Weldon

Direct sow Mitsuba outdoors after April 15 in DeWitt County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Weldon, IL?

In Weldon, IL, plant Mitsuba after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Weldon, IL for Mitsuba?

Weldon sits in USDA Zone 6a. Mitsuba grows reliably in zones 4a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mitsuba grow in Weldon's climate?

Yes — Mitsuba grows well in Weldon's temperate climate. Weldon averages a 185-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your DeWitt County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for DeWitt 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 DeWitt County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.