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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Mercer County, WV

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.

Mercer County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 1,135 feet, Mercer County receives approximately 42.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Mercer County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Mercer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 28

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~550 GDD — county provides 2,145 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Mercer County, WV

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 6b

Growing Season

156 days

Growing Tips for Mercer 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 Mercer County, WV?

Mercer County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mercer County, WV?

Mercer County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mercer County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Mercer County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.