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When to Plant Mustard Greens in DeKalb County, IN

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.

DeKalb County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 671 feet, DeKalb County receives approximately 37.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

DeKalb County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

DeKalb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 139 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~610 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” DeKalb County, IN

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, IN?

DeKalb County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is DeKalb County, IN?

DeKalb County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help DeKalb County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 DeKalb County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.