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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Broomfield County, CO

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.

Broomfield County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 7,037 feet, Broomfield County receives approximately 13.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mustard Greens successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Broomfield County, CO (Zone 5b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Broomfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 16

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 818 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mustard Greens needs ~610 GDD — county provides 2,058 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Broomfield County, CO

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Fall Sowing July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Aug 1
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 20

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 Fall Sowing 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 5b

Growing Season

135 days

Growing Tips for Broomfield 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 Broomfield County, CO?

Broomfield County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Broomfield County, CO?

Broomfield County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Broomfield County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Broomfield County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.