How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Mustard Greens -Harvest to Table

Mustard is a cool-season crop. Mustard matures in 30 to 50 days so time the planting for harvest when the average temperature is around 60° to 65°F (16°-18°C).

Mustard bolts easily so it is often grown for autumn harvest, but it can be grown as a spring crop where spring weather tends to stay cool.

Sow mustard seeds in the garden 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Start transplants indoors 4 to 6 weeks before setting them out in the garden. Transplants can be set in the garden from 5 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost.

Make succession plantings every 10 to 14 days in spring until the temperatures begin to rise.

Sow mustard for a fall harvest 8 weeks before the first expected fall frost.

Mustard tolerates many kinds of soil but grows best in moist, humus-rich soil. Mustard can tolerate partial shade. Mulch to keep the soil cool and moist to prevent bolting.

Mustard leaves about 4 to 5 inches (10-13cm) long have the best flavor. Begin harvesting outer leaves cut-and-come again to prolong the harvest time. The flavor is improved by a mild frost

Mustard leaves grow in the garden — Mustard leaves have a peppery flavor

Mustard greens are a cool-season leaf crop. Mustard is a hardy leaf vegetable with a rosette of large light or dark green curly leaves that grow to 3 feet (.9m) tall. Leaves and leaf stalks are eaten and have a peppery flavor. The seeds can be ground and used as a condiment.

Table of Contents

Mustard planting details

Sowing depth: ¼ inch (.6 cm)
Space between plants after thinning: 6-9 inches (15-23cm)
Days to sprout: 5-10
Days to harvest: 30-50
Storage period: 1-2 weeks
Seeds per 100-row feet: ¼ ounce (7 grams)
Yield per 100-row feet: 100 heads
Suggested varieties: Florida Broad Leaf (bolt resistant), Green Wave (bolt resistant), Southern Giant Curled (good choice for a fall crop)

Here is your complete guide to growing mustard greens!

Mustard greens growing quick tips

Sow mustard greens as early as 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost date in spring.
Sow succession crops every 4 to 6 weeks.
Mustard greens require 30 to 40 days to reach harvest.
Plant crops so that they come to harvest before temperatures average greater than 75°F (24°C).
Sow mustard greens in autumn or early winter in mild winter regions.
Mustard greens yield: Plant 6 to 10 mustard plants per household member.

Where to plant mustard greens

Grow mustard greens in full sun or partial shade.
Plant mustard in well-worked, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Add aged compost to planting beds before planting.
Mustard prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8.

Mustard greens planting time

Sow mustard as early as 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost date in spring.
Sow succession crops every 4 to 6 weeks.
Mustard requires 30 to 40 days to reach harvest.
Plant mustard greens so that they come to harvest before temperatures average greater than 75°F (24°C).
Sow mustard in autumn or early winter in mild winter regions.
Seeds may be slow to germinate if the soil is too cool, 40°F (4.4°C) or less.
Mustard grown in hot weather or long days will bolt and go to seed.

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(These dates are for the Northern Hemisphere)

The average date of the last frost	Planting dates
Jan. 30	Jan. 1-Feb. 10
Feb. 8	Jan. 10-Mar. 1
Feb. 18	Jan. 15-Feb. 15
Feb. 28	Feb. 1-Mar. 15
Mar. 10	Feb. 10-Mar. 20
Mar. 20	Feb. 20-Apr. 1
Mar. 30	Mar. 10-Apr. 15
Apr. 10	Mar. 1-Apr. 20
Apr. 20	Mar. 20-May 1
Apr. 30	Apr. 1-May 10
May 10	Apr. 15-June 1
May 20	May 1-June 30
May 30	May 10-June 30
June 10	May 20-June 30

Planting and spacing mustard greens

Sow mustard seed ½ inch (12mm) deep.
When seedlings are large enough to handle thin them from 4 to 8 inches (10-20cm) apart.
Space rows 12 to 24 inches a(30-61cm) part.

Mustard greens companion plants

Plant mustard greens with other leafy greens, English peas, and snap peas.

Container growing mustard greens

Mustard can easily be grown in a container.
Broadcast seeds over the soil surface and cover lightly with soil. Thinnings can be eaten.

Mustard plants growing — Do not let the soil dry out during the growing season.

Watering and feeding mustard greens

Keep soil evenly moist to keep mustard leaves growing quickly. Do not allow the soil to dry out.
Add aged compost to planting beds before sowing.
Side-dress mustard plants with aged compost at midseason.

Mustard greens care

Keep planting beds weed-free.
Pull mustard from the garden as soon as it goes to seed to avoid prolific self-seeding.

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Mustard greens pests and diseases

Mustard can be attacked by flea beetles and aphids. Wash these pests away with a blast of water.
Mustard is susceptible to white rust. Remove leaves that have white rust.
To avoid diseases, water plants at the base of the stem keeping moisture off the leaves.

mustard green leaves — Mustard plants near harvest

Harvesting mustard greens

Pick individual leaves when they are young and tender, 3 to 4 inches (7-10cm) long, or cut and use the entire plant.
Complete the harvest before the weather grows hot; hot weather will cause leaves to become tough and strong flavored.
Complete the harvest before the plant goes to seed.

Storing and preserving mustard greens

Mustard will keep in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.
Mustard leaves can be frozen or dried. Mustard seeds can be sprouted.

Mustard varieties to grow

Curled Leaf: ‘Fordhook Fancy’ (40 days); ‘Red Giant’ (23 days); ‘Green Wave’ (45 days); ‘Southern Giant Curled’ (40 days).
Plain Leaf: ‘Florida Broad Leaf’ (43-50 days); ‘Tendergreen’ (34-40 days).
Oriental Mustard Cabbage-green stalks: ‘Chinese Pac Choi’ (60 days); ‘Choi Sum’ (60 days); ‘Dai Gai Choy’ (65 days).
Oriental Mustard Cabbage-white stalks: ‘Bok Choi’ (45-60 days); ‘Chinese Flat Cabbage’ (40 days); ‘Green-In-Snow’ (45 days); ‘Joi-Choi’ (45-50 days).