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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Sussex County, NJ

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.

Sussex County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 174 feet, Sussex County receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Sussex County, NJ (Zone 6a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Sussex County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jul 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 16

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 Only during dry spells
Season total 571 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~580 GDD — county provides 3,306 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Sussex County, NJ

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Apr 5
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest May 3 May 3 โ€“ Jul 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Sussex 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 Sussex County, NJ?

Sussex County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sussex County, NJ?

Sussex County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is March 29 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 Sussex County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Sussex County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.