Blog

When to Plant Mustard Greens in Prince William County, VA

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.

Prince William County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 372 feet, Prince William County receives approximately 46.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Prince William County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Prince William County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14

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
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 17 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~670 GDD — county provides 3,283 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Prince William County, VA

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jul 20

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

196 days

Growing Tips for Prince William 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 Prince William County, VA?

Prince William County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince William County, VA?

Prince William County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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