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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Nevada County, CA

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.

Nevada County, California is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 2,745 feet, Nevada County receives approximately 44.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.

Nevada County, CA (Zone 7b) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Nevada County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 1 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 11

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 286 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mustard Greens needs ~490 GDD — county provides 2,021 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Nevada County, CA

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

165 days

Growing Tips for Nevada 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 Nevada County, CA?

Nevada County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nevada County, CA?

Nevada County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Nevada County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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