Blog

When to Plant Mustard Greens in Burleigh County, ND

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.

Burleigh County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 1,102 feet, Burleigh County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.

Burleigh County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Burleigh County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 438 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mustard Greens needs ~460 GDD — county provides 1,587 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Burleigh County, ND

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Jul 19
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Aug 18

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4a

Growing Season

138 days

Growing Tips for Burleigh 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 Burleigh County, ND?

Burleigh County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burleigh County, ND?

Burleigh County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Burleigh County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Burleigh County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.