Mustard Greens Growing Guide
Brassicaceae family
Days to Harvest45 days
SunlightPart Sun / Part Shade
Frost ToleranceModerate
Spacing4/sqft (6" apart)
Germination4-8 days
HardinessHardy
Germ. Temp65°F
Start Indoors4 weeks before last frost
Growth Stages
- Seedling
- Early Vegetative
- Late Vegetative / Harvest Ready
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Apr 27 | May 11 | Apr 27 | Jun 25 |
| Zone 1b | Apr 27 | May 11 | Apr 27 | Jun 25 |
| Zone 2a | Apr 17 | May 1 | Apr 17 | Jun 15 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 27 | May 11 | Apr 27 | Jun 25 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 24 | May 8 | Apr 24 | Jun 22 |
| Zone 3b | Apr 17 | May 1 | Apr 17 | Jun 15 |
| Zone 4a | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Apr 7 | Jun 5 |
| Zone 4b | Apr 3 | Apr 17 | Apr 3 | Jun 1 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | May 29 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | May 29 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | May 29 |
| Zone 6b | Mar 18 | Apr 1 | Mar 18 | May 16 |
| Zone 7a | Mar 18 | Apr 1 | Mar 18 | May 16 |
| Zone 7b | Mar 13 | Mar 27 | Mar 13 | May 11 |
| Zone 8a | Mar 8 | Mar 22 | Mar 8 | May 6 |
| Zone 8b | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | Feb 22 | Apr 22 |
| Zone 9a | Feb 20 | Mar 6 | Feb 20 | Apr 20 |
| Zone 9b | Feb 10 | Feb 24 | Feb 10 | Apr 10 |
| Zone 10a | Jan 23 | Feb 6 | Jan 23 | Mar 23 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 31 | Jan 14 | Dec 31 | Feb 28 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 31 | Jan 14 | Dec 31 | Feb 28 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 18 | Jan 1 | Dec 18 | Feb 15 |
| Zone 12a | Dec 4 | Dec 18 | Dec 4 | Feb 1 |
| Zone 12b | Dec 4 | Dec 18 | Dec 4 | Feb 1 |
| Zone 13a | Dec 4 | Dec 18 | Dec 4 | Feb 1 |
| Zone 13b | Dec 4 | Dec 18 | Dec 4 | Feb 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Mustard Greens?
Mustard Greens takes approximately 45 days from planting to harvest.
How much sun does Mustard Greens need?
Mustard Greens requires part sun / part shade.
How far apart should I plant Mustard Greens?
Plant Mustard Greens at 4/sqft (6" apart) using square foot gardening spacing.
Can Mustard Greens survive frost?
Mustard Greens is tolerant of moderate frost.
How long does Mustard Greens take to germinate?
Mustard Greens seeds germinate in 4-8 days at an optimal temperature of 65°F.
When should I start Mustard Greens seeds indoors?
Start Mustard Greens seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant -2 weeks after last frost.
Growing Tips
- Direct sow in early spring or late summer for fall harvest
- Young leaves are milder; mature leaves develop stronger mustard bite
- Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest
Common Pests & Diseases
- Flea beetles
- Cabbage worms
- Aphids
Harvest Notes
Harvest outer leaves at 4-6 inches for baby greens, or let grow larger for braising. Hot weather intensifies the peppery flavor.
Plan Your Mustard Greens Garden
Track Mustard Greens from seed to harvest with personalized frost dates, watering recommendations, and companion planting visualization.
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