Blog

When to Plant Mustard Greens in Preston 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.

Preston County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 2,324 feet, Preston County receives approximately 45.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Preston County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Preston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~580 GDD — county provides 2,465 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Preston County, WV

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 6

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 Transplant Outdoors 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 6a

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Preston 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 Preston County, WV?

Preston County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Preston County, WV?

Preston County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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