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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Wells 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.

Wells County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 796 feet, Wells County receives approximately 29.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.

Wells County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
141 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Wells County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26

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 160 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~400 GDD — county provides 1,410 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Wells County, ND

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Jul 21
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 17

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 3b

Growing Season

141 days

Growing Tips for Wells 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 Wells County, ND?

Wells County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wells County, ND?

Wells County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wells County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Wells County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.