Entire healthy mature mustard greens plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 30–60 cm tall, 20–30 cm wide at maturity.
6. BoltingYellow flowers attract beneficials if left.
Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.
Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon
direct sow 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after last frost; 30–45 days to maturity from sowing. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.
Plant
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mustard greensBrassica juncea
Text version of the planting timeline
Plant
Start indoors
Direct sow
Autumn sow
Transplant
Tend
Harvest
Mustard greens
—
Mar 8–Apr 19 (estimate); Apr 19–Sep 22 (estimate)
Sep 10–Oct 8 (estimate)
—
—
Apr 7–Nov 27 (estimate)
Start indoorsDirect sowTransplantTendHarvestStriped bars are regional estimates; solid bars are dates you confirmed.
Direct sow: Mar 8 – Apr 19
Harvest: Apr 7 – Nov 27
Succession sow: Apr 19 – Sep 22
Autumn sowing: Sep 10 – Oct 8
Spacing & support
In-row 15–20 cm; rows 30–45 cm. Planner footprint: 1 cell of 30 cm, 4 plants per cell.
Side-profile diagram of mature mustard greens: canopy 30–60 cm tall, 20–30 cm wide, shallow root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.
Soil & water
Soil
Fertile loam
pH
6–7
Fertility
moderate
Water
Keep moist to slow bolting.
Frost
hardy; tolerates frost
Support & training
No support structure needed.
Mustard greens mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.
Harvest signs
Leaves 15–20 cm
Before flower stems form
Mustard greens at harvest readiness, showing the visual cues: leaves 15–20 cm; before flower stems form.
Avoid planting mustard greens or other cabbage family crops in the same spot for 3 years. Rotation is about previous seasons, not about live neighbours.
Shared risks in Brassicaceae: clubroot, cabbage root fly, cabbage white caterpillars.
Mustard greens are ready in 30–45 days and tolerate light frost; heat makes them bolt and turn harsh. Sow every few weeks in spring and again from late summer.
Mustard greens seed beside a ruler or coin for scale.
Mustard greens seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.
Mustard greens mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.
On farms, mustard is sometimes planted as a trap crop for cabbage pests because it is more attractive to several of them than cabbage; in a small garden it is more likely to simply host the same flea beetles and caterpillars unless the trap rows are managed.
Two or more mature mustard greens plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (15–20 cm).
Mustard greens flower detail or bolting stage.
Immature leaves of mustard greens developing on the plant.
Edible parts and safety
Edible: leaves, seeds.
Hands or tool harvesting mustard greens correctly (cut, pull, twist or pick) without damaging the plant.
Pests and diseases
Common pests: flea beetles, aphids, cabbage white caterpillars. Common diseases: clubroot, white rust. These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.
flea beetles on mustard greens, with a wider damage-context view.
Timeline
Season timeline for mustard greens: sowing, transplanting, flowering, harvest and bed occupancy aligned to frost dates.Text alternative: Direct sow Mar 8–Apr 19; Harvest Apr 7–Nov 27; Succession sow Apr 19–Sep 22; Autumn sowing Sep 10–Oct 8.
We synthesize peer-reviewed research, university extension publications, and trusted horticulture resources. Our evidence levels help you understand how strong the science is behind the guidance.
Evidence tiers
Supported evidenceConsistent results from multiple robust studies
Traditional claimHistorical use reported, limited scientific support
Context dependentMixed or variable results across conditions
No verified relationshipNo reliable evidence identified
Spacing & support
Soil & water
Support & training
Harvest signs
Common problems
Container growing
Companion overview
Crop rotation
Sources, reviewer & update
