Blog

When to Plant Mustard Greens in LaPorte 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.

LaPorte County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 1,120 feet, LaPorte County receives approximately 38.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

LaPorte County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

LaPorte County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 22

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 640 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~550 GDD — county provides 2,475 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” LaPorte County, IN

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Aug 3

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
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

180 days

Growing Tips for LaPorte 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 LaPorte County, IN?

LaPorte County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is LaPorte County, IN?

LaPorte County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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