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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Surry County, NC

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.

Surry County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 104 feet, Surry County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Mustard Greens, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mustard Greens root diseases.

Surry County, NC (Zone 7a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Surry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~670 GDD — county provides 3,048 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Surry County, NC

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors 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 7a

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Surry 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 Surry County, NC?

Surry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Surry County, NC?

Surry County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Surry County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Surry County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.