When to Plant Mustard Greens: Spring, Fall, Texas and Florida Dates

Mustard greens (Brassica juncea) are a cabbage-family green grown for spicy leaves. They are quick and easy to grow in spring and fall (Mississippi State). Heat is what ends the season: in the long, warm days of late spring the plants send up flower stalks, and leaves grown in hot weather turn tough and sharp-tasting (Illinois, NC State).

Spring dates by last frost

The table counts back from your average last spring frost. The direct-seeding window combines Mississippi State's 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost with Illinois's 3 weeks and Utah State's 3 to 4 weeks. Utah State plants transplants near the last frost date for an earlier harvest.

Make a second sowing a few weeks after the first. Illinois sows again 3 weeks later, Mississippi State spaces plantings a couple of weeks apart, and NC State suggests every 2 to 3 weeks. In central Maryland, University of Maryland sows spring mustard from April to mid-May and harvests from mid-May into June.

Fall mustard greens

Fall is often the better season. Illinois and Utah State both say fall mustard is higher quality because it matures in cool weather. Mississippi State sows fall mustard 6 to 8 weeks before the first fall frost. Utah State works backward from a harvest about 2 to 3 weeks after the first frost, so pick a fast variety for late sowings.

Young plants handle cold well. Utah State says temperatures down to 32°F don't seriously hurt them, and NC State notes that curly-leaved types are more frost tolerant than flat-leaved ones. University of Maryland sows fall mustard from mid-July to mid-August in central Maryland and harvests in September and October.

Texas and Florida dates

Texas A&M AgriLife's fall vegetable guide lists average fall planting dates for mustard in five regions. Region I is the coldest (Panhandle) and Region V the warmest (Lower Rio Grande Valley).

UF/IFAS's month-by-month calendar for Florida lists mustard from August through April in North Florida, September through February in Central Florida, and September through January in South Florida.

Planting and spacing

Varieties named by Mississippi State include 'Florida Broad Leaf', 'Green Wave', 'Southern Giant Curled', 'Tendergreen' (also called mustard spinach) and the red-leaved 'Garnet Giant'. It notes that curly types can hold sand and grit, so they take more washing.

Harvest

Pick young leaves at about 4 to 5 inches for a mild flavor, or let leaves reach full size for cooking (Illinois, Utah State). You can strip older leaves first and let the young ones keep growing, or cut the whole planting back to about 1 to 2 inches above the soil and let it regrow, as long as the growing point isn't damaged (Utah State, Mississippi State). Harvest before flower stalks form. Utah State stores mustard for 1 to 2 weeks near 32°F with high humidity, and NC State says the leaves keep 3 to 5 days.

Pests

Flea beetles, aphids and caterpillars such as cabbage loopers and imported cabbageworms are the common pests (Utah State, Illinois, NC State). Illinois notes that caterpillars tend to be worse on fall crops, and Utah State suggests fabric row covers. Slugs and snails also feed on the leaves (Utah State, NC State).

Where mustard goes in the garden

Mustard is in the cabbage family, so rotate it with broccoli, cabbage and kale; see what to plant with cabbage. Spicy mustards are also used as a flea beetle trap crop, covered in companion planting for pest control, and NC State notes mustard is used as a cover crop (see cover crops for vegetable gardens). NC State also warns that it can become weedy in some Midwest states, so pull plants before they set seed. For another fast spicy green on the same schedule, see when to plant arugula.

Frequently asked questions

When should I plant mustard greens?

Sow seed about 6 to 3 weeks before your last spring frost (Mississippi State, Illinois, Utah State) and again 6 to 8 weeks before your first fall frost (Mississippi State). Transplants go in around the last frost date (Utah State).

Are mustard greens better in spring or fall?

Fall. Illinois and Utah State both say fall crops are higher quality because they mature in cool weather, while spring plantings bolt as days get long and warm.

When do you plant mustard greens in Texas?

Texas A&M AgriLife lists fall planting dates of September 1 (Region I), October 1 (Region II), November 1 (Region III), December 1 (Region IV) and December 15 (Region V).

When do you plant mustard greens in Florida?

UF/IFAS lists mustard from August through April in North Florida, September through February in Central Florida, and September through January in South Florida.

Can mustard greens survive frost?

Young plants can. Utah State says temperatures down to 32°F don't seriously damage them, and NC State says curly-leaved types are more frost tolerant than flat-leaved ones.

Do mustard greens grow back after cutting?

Yes. Cut leaves to about 1 to 2 inches above the soil without damaging the growing point and the plant regrows (Utah State, Mississippi State).

Why are my mustard greens bolting?

Long, warm days trigger flowering (Illinois, Utah State). Sow earlier in spring, harvest before hot weather, and plant a second crop in fall.