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When to Plant Mizuna in Florence County, SC

Florence County, South Carolina Zone 8b May

May in the garden — Florence County, South Carolina

Here's what deserves your attention in Florence County, South Carolina this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Pick mizuna

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

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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.

Florence County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 103 feet, Florence County receives approximately 55.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Mizuna during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Mizuna, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mizuna root diseases.

Florence County, SC (Zone 8b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Florence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – May 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – May 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 12

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 Florence County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Mizuna's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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

9
successive plantings in your 228-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 28.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Florence 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 ~684 GDD — county provides 4,161 GDD Excellent fit

Mizuna Planting Timeline — Florence County, SC

Mizuna Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 30
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 – May 25
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 – Sep 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

30–45 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

228 days in Florence County

Growing Tips for Mizuna in Florence County

Direct sow Mizuna outdoors after March 23 in Florence County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Florence County's clay soil (34% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Mizuna. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 228.0-day season in Florence 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 Florence County, SC?

Florence County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Mizuna planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Florence County, SC?

Florence County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Florence County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Florence County (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 Florence County, SC. 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.