Blog

When to Plant Mustard Greens in Sutter 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.

Sutter County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 484 feet, Sutter County receives approximately 21.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Sutter County, CA (Zone 9a) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Sutter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (181 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 10 Transplant: Feb 7 🍅 Harvest: Mar 14 – May 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Aug 3

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
0.3″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,747 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Mustard Greens needs ~640 GDD — county provides 4,272 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Sutter County, CA

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Direct Sow February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Mar 4
Fall Sowing October 1 Oct 1 โ€“ Oct 15
Harvest April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Jun 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

267 days

Growing Tips for Sutter 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 Sutter County, CA?

Sutter County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sutter County, CA?

Sutter County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sutter County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Sutter County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.