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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Codington County, SD

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.

Codington County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 679 feet, Codington County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.

Codington County, SD (Zone 4a) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Codington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 22

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 742 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Mustard Greens needs ~430 GDD — county provides 1,677 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Codington County, SD

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Aug 9

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 Direct Sow
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

156 days

Growing Tips for Codington 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 Codington County, SD?

Codington County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Codington County, SD?

Codington County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Codington County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Codington County, SD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.