When to Sow Mustard Greens — Dates, Spacing & Yield
Plant count & yield calculator
Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.
Enter bed size to count plants.
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Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
Seed starting dates
Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Mustard greens with this frost date : start indoors ~Mar 25, direct sow ~Mar 18 .
Pick a last frost date for the schedule.
Your result
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Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
About mustard greens
Sow mustard greens about 4 weeks before your last spring frost (or start indoors 3 weeks ahead), then again in late summer for fall — spicy salad and braising greens with a quick 40-day turnaround in cool weather.
Spacing & yield
Mustard greens wants 6×12 inches and about 0.75 lb per plant at ~40 days to maturity.
Growing tips
- Direct sow 4 weeks before last frost or in late summer for fall harvest.
- Harvest young leaves for milder flavor; older leaves develop intense mustard bite.
- Mix varieties — red, green, and frilly types create diverse texture in salad blends.
- Cut at 4-6 inches for baby greens, or let plants mature for cooking greens.
Common mistakes
- Growing exclusively in summer, when mustard bolts within days and leaves turn painfully hot.
- Spacing too tightly for full-size plants; 6 inches is needed for mature cooking greens.
Harvest & storage
Begin cutting outer leaves at 4 inches tall, or harvest whole rosettes at about 40 days from sowing.
Refrigerate washed greens in a container with a paper towel for up to 5 days.
Companion planting
Good neighbors for mustard greens: onions, celery, peas, dill. Avoid planting beside: strawberries, sunflowers.
Planting calendar
Start indoors about 3 weeks before last frost. Direct sow is also an option around 4 weeks before frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).
Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.
Frequently asked questions
- When should I sow mustard greens?
- Direct sow about 4 weeks before last spring frost, or start indoors 3 weeks before frost and transplant. For fall, sow again in late summer so plants mature in cool weather — summer heat makes mustard bolt and turn painfully hot.
- How far apart are mustard greens planted?
- Space 6 inches in-row and 12 inches between rows for full-size plants; closer for baby leaf production.
- How much do mustard greens yield per plant?
- A mature plant produces about 0.75 lb of harvestable leaves over its productive life.
- How quickly do mustard greens grow?
- Baby leaves are ready in 21 days; full maturity takes about 40 days from sowing.