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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Steuben 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.

Steuben County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 1,195 feet, Steuben County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Steuben County, NY (Zone 5b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Steuben County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~610 GDD — county provides 2,150 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Steuben County, NY

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 23

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 Harvest
July Fall Sowing 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

141 days

Growing Tips for Steuben 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 Steuben County, NY?

Steuben County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Steuben County, NY?

Steuben County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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