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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Hendricks 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.

Hendricks County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 1,286 feet, Hendricks County receives approximately 32.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Hendricks County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Hendricks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 538 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Mustard Greens needs ~640 GDD — county provides 2,976 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Hendricks County, IN

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

186 days

Growing Tips for Hendricks 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 Hendricks County, IN?

Hendricks County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hendricks County, IN?

Hendricks County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hendricks 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 Hendricks County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.