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When to Plant Mizuna in Richland Parish, LA

Richland Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

Top priorities for Richland Parish, Louisiana gardeners in May

Welcome to May in Zone 8b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 9
Avg. first frost November 14
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Collect mizuna at their peak

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

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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.

Richland Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 250 days.

At an elevation of 341 feet, Richland Parish receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Mizuna may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mizuna root diseases.

Richland Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
250 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
250 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Richland Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (182 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – May 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – May 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (175 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 9

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 Richland Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.0) is within Mizuna's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Richland Parish is excellent for Mizuna — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Mizuna.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Mizuna.

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

10
successive plantings in your 250-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 05.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 657 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 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Richland Parish). 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 ~797 GDD — county provides 5,312 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline — Richland Parish, LA

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 16
Harvest April 13 Apr 13 – May 11
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 – Sep 19

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
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

30–45 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

250 days in Richland Parish

Growing Tips for Mizuna in Richland Parish

Direct sow Mizuna outdoors after March 09 in Richland Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 250.0-day season in Richland Parish 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 Richland Parish, LA?

Richland Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland Parish, LA?

Richland Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 14.

🌱

Your Richland Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Richland Parish (Zone 8b). 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 Richland Parish, LA. 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.