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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Ulster 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.

Ulster County, New York is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,121 feet, Ulster County receives approximately 39.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Ulster County, NY (Zone 6a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Ulster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 151 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~670 GDD — county provides 3,048 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Ulster County, NY

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Ulster 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 Ulster County, NY?

Ulster County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ulster County, NY?

Ulster County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ulster County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Ulster County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.