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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Bienville Parish, LA

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.

Bienville Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 438 feet, Bienville Parish receives approximately 56 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mustard Greens root diseases.

Bienville Parish, LA (Zone 8a) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 16
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Bienville Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – Jun 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 695 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~820 GDD — county provides 4,940 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Bienville Parish, LA

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Direct Sow March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 23
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ Jun 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

241 days

Growing Tips for Bienville Parish

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 Bienville Parish, LA?

Bienville Parish is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 16. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bienville Parish, LA?

Bienville Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 16 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bienville Parish gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Bienville Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.