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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Benton County, AR

Mustard greens are fast-growing brassicas with a spicy, peppery kick. They come in green, red, and purple varieties and are excellent cooked or in salads.

Benton County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 905 feet, Benton County receives approximately 50.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mustard Greens root diseases.

Benton County, AR (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Benton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~700 GDD — county provides 3,482 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Benton County, AR

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jul 16

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

30โ€“50 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

199 days

Growing Tips for Benton County

Direct sow in early spring or fall. Harvest young leaves for milder flavor. Plants bolt quickly in heat so grow as a cool-season crop or provide shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mustard Greens in Benton County, AR?

Benton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Benton County, AR?

Benton County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Benton County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Benton County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.