Mustard greens: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates
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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Show the math & assumptions
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
Mustard greens bring spicy heat to salad mixes and braises, growing vigorously in cool weather with minimal care and quick 40-day turnaround.
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
- 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.