When to Plant Mustard Greens

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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 seed sowing dates

(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

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 fall crop)