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When to Plant Mitsuba in El Paso County, TX

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.

El Paso County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 3,971 feet, El Paso County receives approximately 35.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 107°F, so Mitsuba may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Mitsuba will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

El Paso County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 16
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

El Paso County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

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 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in El Paso County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mitsuba Planting Timeline — El Paso County, TX

Mitsuba Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Direct Sow March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 23
Harvest May 4 May 4 – Jun 29
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 – Sep 16

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

240 days in El Paso County

Growing Tips for El Paso County

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mitsuba in El Paso County, TX?

El Paso County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 16. Plan your Mitsuba planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is El Paso County, TX?

El Paso County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 16 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your El Paso County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for El Paso 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 El Paso County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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