Derivative work: UnpetitproleX · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Mustard greens are one of the fastest and easiest leafy crops you can grow. Baby leaves are ready in about three weeks and full-size leaves in six, with a peppery bite that mellows when cooked. They thrive in cool weather and can be sown in both spring and fall. This page covers when to plant, spacing, care, common problems and how to harvest mustard greens so the plants keep producing.
Mustard Greens at a glance
| Type | Vegetable |
|---|---|
| Season | Cool-season |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Plant spacing | 6 in |
| Row spacing | 12 in |
| Per square foot | 4 |
| Seed depth | ¼ in |
| Days to maturity | 30–45 from seed |
| How to start | Mustard greens prefer cool weather, roughly 50 to 70°F. |
| Water | 1 in per week |
These are the same numbers our plant spacing, square foot and harvest date calculators use. See every crop in the plant database.
When to plant mustard greens
Mustard greens prefer cool weather, roughly 50 to 70°F. Sow seed outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost, as soon as the soil can be worked. In most regions a second sowing 4 to 6 weeks before the first fall frost gives the best flavor, because cold sweetens the leaves. Hot weather and long days make the plants bolt and turn bitter, so avoid summer sowing.
Find your dates with the frost dates by ZIP code tool and plan sowings in the planting calendar.
How to plant mustard greens
- Prepare the bed. Choose full sun, or light shade in warm climates, and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of about 6.0 to 7.5.
- Sow thinly. Plant seeds about a quarter inch deep in rows 12 inches apart. Seeds sprout in 3 to 7 days.
- Thin as you go. Thin to about 6 inches apart for full-size plants, and eat the thinnings. For baby leaves, leave plants closer.
- Sow in succession. Sow a short row every 2 weeks so you always have young leaves.
Caring for mustard greens
Mustard greens grow fast and need steady moisture to stay tender. Give them about an inch of water a week, and use the garden watering calculator to turn that into gallons for your bed. Mulch lightly to keep the soil cool.
Feed with compost or a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once when plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, since leafy crops use a lot of nitrogen. Cover seedlings with row cover to block flea beetles and cabbage worms.
Companion plants
| Grow nearby | Lettuce, peas, onions, beets and herbs such as dill and chamomile |
|---|---|
| Keep apart | Strawberries, tomatoes and pole beans (said to compete or stunt growth) |
Mustard is a cabbage-family crop, so rotate it with other brassicas each year to reduce soil-borne disease, and plant aromatic herbs nearby, which are said to confuse pests. Check other pairings with the companion plant finder.
Common problems
| Problem | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Bolting | A tall flower stalk forms and leaves turn bitter | Caused by heat and long days. Sow in cool weather and pull bolted plants. |
| Flea beetles | Many tiny shot-like holes in leaves | Use row cover from sowing. Healthy plants outgrow light damage. |
| Cabbage worms | Ragged holes in leaves, green caterpillars | Pick them by hand or use row cover. See the pest identifier. |
| Aphids | Clusters of tiny insects under leaves, curled foliage | Spray off with water or use insecticidal soap. |
| Very hot, bitter leaves | Leaves taste harsh | Usually heat stress or old leaves. Harvest young leaves and keep water even. |
Not sure what you are looking at? The plant problem identifier ranks likely causes from the symptoms you see.
When and how to harvest
Start picking when leaves are 3 to 4 inches long for baby greens, or wait until they reach 6 to 8 inches for full-size leaves, usually 30 to 45 days after sowing. Cut the outer leaves and leave the center to keep growing, or cut the whole plant 2 inches above the soil and let it regrow once. Pick in the morning when leaves are crisp.
Young leaves are good raw in salads and sandwiches; larger leaves are better sauteed, braised or added to soups. Greens keep in the refrigerator for about a week, and frost makes them taste milder and sweeter.
Plan your mustard greens
- Plant spacing calculator: how many plants fit your bed
- Planting calendar: sowing and transplant dates for your frost dates
- Frost dates by ZIP code: your last spring and first fall frost
- Harvest date calculator: when your crop will be ready
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant mustard greens?
Space mustard greens 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. In a square foot garden, plant 4 per square foot.
How deep do I plant mustard seeds?
Sow mustard seeds about a quarter inch deep and thin seedlings to 6 inches apart.
How long do mustard greens take to grow?
Baby leaves are ready in about 21 to 30 days, and full-size leaves in 30 to 45 days after sowing.
How much water do mustard greens need?
About 1 inch of water a week, from rain and watering combined. Keep the soil evenly moist for tender leaves and slow bolting.
Do mustard greens regrow after cutting?
Yes. Cut outer leaves or trim the plant 2 inches above the soil and it will regrow for another harvest or two, as long as the weather stays cool.
Why are my mustard greens so bitter?
Bitterness comes from heat, drought stress or leaves left too long. Sow in cool weather, water evenly and harvest leaves while young.