When to Plant Mitsuba in Linn County, MO
Your May planting checklist for Linn County, Missouri
May is a pivotal month for Linn County, Missouri gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Sow mitsuba in trays indoors
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: mitsuba
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.
Linn County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.
At an elevation of 880 feet, Linn County receives approximately 32.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Mitsuba during the growing season.
Linn County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Linn County
How your county's soil matches Mitsuba's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–6.8) overlaps with Mitsuba's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Linn County is excellent for Mitsuba — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Mitsuba.
How to Plant Mitsuba
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Mitsuba
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 11.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.4" | 1.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Linn 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 Planting Timeline — Linn County, MO
Mitsuba Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 24 |
| Harvest | June 5 | Jun 5 – Jul 31 |
| Fall Sowing | August 11 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
186 days in Linn County
Growing Tips for Mitsuba in Linn County
Direct sow Mitsuba outdoors after April 17 in Linn 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 →
Mitsuba in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Mitsuba in Linn County, MO?
Linn County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Mitsuba planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Linn County, MO?
Linn County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 20.
Your Linn County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Linn 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.