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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Monroe County, TN

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.

Monroe County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 3,185 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Monroe County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Mustard Greens needs ~640 GDD — county provides 3,152 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Monroe County, TN

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jul 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

197 days

Growing Tips for Monroe 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 Monroe County, TN?

Monroe County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, TN?

Monroe County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Monroe 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 Monroe County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.