Blog

When to Plant Mustard Greens in Park County, MT

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.

Park County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 119 days.

At an elevation of 6,994 feet, Park County receives approximately 22.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.

Park County, MT (Zone 4b) Short season
119 days
Last Spring Frost May 24
119 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Park County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 23

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 275 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mustard Greens needs ~400 GDD — county provides 1,190 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Park County, MT

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 7
Direct Sow May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 7
Fall Sowing June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Jul 12
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4b

Growing Season

119 days

Growing Tips for Park 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 Park County, MT?

Park County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 24. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Park County, MT?

Park County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 24 and first fall frost is September 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Park County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Park County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.