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When to Plant Mizuna in Crow Wing County, MN

Crow Wing County, Minnesota Zone 3b April

What to do in April

Here's what deserves your attention in Crow Wing County, Minnesota this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 3b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 5
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 36°F
Watering None
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.3 hrs
  1. Direct-sow mizuna

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

Before May arrives, get these ready
  • Transplants going out: mizuna

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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.

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 783 feet, Crow Wing County receives approximately 33.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mizuna to ensure they mature before fall.

Crow Wing County, MN (Zone 3b) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3
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Crow Wing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21

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 Crow Wing County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.7) is within Mizuna's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Mizuna will thrive.

How to Plant Mizuna

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mizuna

6
successive plantings in your 151-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 19 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 11.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 103 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Crow Wing 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 ~319 GDD — county provides 1,283 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline — Crow Wing County, MN

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 – May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 – May 19
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 – Jul 7
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 – Jul 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August
September
October
November
December
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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 3b

📆 Growing Season

151 days in Crow Wing County

Growing Tips for Mizuna in Crow Wing County

Direct sow Mizuna outdoors after May 05 in Crow Wing County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 151.0-day season in Crow Wing 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 Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 3.

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Your Crow Wing County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Crow Wing County (Zone 3b). 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 Crow Wing County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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