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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Livingston County, NY

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.

Livingston County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 748 feet, Livingston County receives approximately 46.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.

Livingston County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Livingston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~520 GDD — county provides 2,028 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Livingston County, NY

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Aug 15

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 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

156 days

Growing Tips for Livingston 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 Livingston County, NY?

Livingston County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Livingston County, NY?

Livingston County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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