When to Plant Mustard Greens in Prowers County, CO
Your May planting checklist for Prowers County, Colorado
Your Prowers County, Colorado garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
Get ahead of June
- Starting indoors: mustard greens
- First harvests: mustard greens
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.
Prowers County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.
At an elevation of 6,074 feet, Prowers County receives approximately 24.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.
Prowers County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-8.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Prowers County
How your county's soil matches Mustard Greens's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–8.3) is more alkaline than Mustard Greens prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Prowers County is excellent for Mustard Greens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Mustard Greens.
How to Plant Mustard Greens
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Mustard Greens
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 21 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 01.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Mustard Greens
Mustard Greens needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Mustard Greens Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3" | 2.8" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3" | 2.6" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3" | 1.5" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3" | 2.1" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3" | 2.9" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3" | 2.3" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3" | 2.4" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Prowers County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Mustard Greens Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Mustard Greens Planting Timeline — Prowers County, CO
Mustard Greens Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 30 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Direct Sow | April 16 | Apr 16 – May 7 |
| Harvest | June 4 | Jun 4 – Aug 6 |
| Fall Sowing | August 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
30–50 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
163 days in Prowers County
Growing Tips for Mustard Greens in Prowers County
Direct sow Mustard Greens outdoors after April 30 in Prowers County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 163.0-day season in Prowers County allows multiple plantings of Mustard Greens. Sow every 15.0 days for continuous harvest.
Common pests for Mustard Greens in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Mustard Greens in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Mustard Greens in Prowers County, CO?
Prowers County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Prowers County, CO?
Prowers County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 10.
Your Prowers County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Prowers County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.