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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Jerome County, ID

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.

Jerome County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 6,306 feet, Jerome County receives approximately 13.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, 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.

Jerome County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Jerome County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 30 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10

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 2-3 times/week
Season total 964 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Mustard Greens needs ~550 GDD — county provides 2,021 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Jerome County, ID

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 July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Aug 9
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 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 6a

Growing Season

147 days

Growing Tips for Jerome 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 Jerome County, ID?

Jerome County is in Zone 6a 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 Jerome County, ID?

Jerome County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jerome County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Jerome County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.