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When to Plant Mizuna in Chase County, NE

Chase County, Nebraska Zone 5b May

This month in Chase County, Nebraska

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Chase County, Nebraska this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 3
Avg. first frost October 7
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant mizuna

    Frost risk is low now in Chase County, Nebraska. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: mizuna
  • First harvests: 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.

Chase County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 733 feet, Chase County receives approximately 29.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season.

Chase County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7
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Chase County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15

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 Chase County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.7) overlaps with Mizuna's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). 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

6
successive plantings in your 157-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 29.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 358 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Chase 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 2,276 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline — Chase County, NE

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 – Jul 5
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 – Aug 12

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 Fall Sowing
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Chase County

Growing Tips for Mizuna in Chase County

Direct sow Mizuna outdoors after May 03 in Chase County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 157.0-day season in Chase 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 Chase County, NE?

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

What planting zone is Chase County, NE?

Chase County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Your Chase County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Chase County (Zone 5b). 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 Chase County, NE. 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.