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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Bolivar County, MS

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.

Bolivar County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 299 feet, Bolivar County receives approximately 56.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Mustard Greens may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Mustard Greens, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mustard Greens root diseases.

Bolivar County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Bolivar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 75 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~910 GDD — county provides 5,551 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Bolivar County, MS

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 19
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Jun 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
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

244 days

Growing Tips for Bolivar 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 Bolivar County, MS?

Bolivar County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bolivar County, MS?

Bolivar County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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