When to Plant Mustard Greens in Caddo Parish, LA
Your April planting checklist for Caddo Parish, Louisiana
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Caddo Parish, Louisiana this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Indoor seed-starting week for mustard greens
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
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It's harvest week for mustard greens
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
Get ahead of May
- 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.
Caddo Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.
At an elevation of 446 feet, Caddo Parish receives approximately 49 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.
Caddo Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
5.8-7
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 Caddo Parish
How your county's soil matches Mustard Greens's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–7.0) overlaps with Mustard Greens's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Caddo Parish is excellent for Mustard Greens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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 Sep 25 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 05.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 2.9" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Caddo Parish). 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 — Caddo Parish, LA
Mustard Greens Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 6 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Direct Sow | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 20 |
| Harvest | April 17 | Apr 17 – Jun 19 |
| Fall Sowing | September 5 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
30–50 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
246 days in Caddo Parish
Growing Tips for Mustard Greens in Caddo Parish
Direct sow Mustard Greens outdoors after March 13 in Caddo Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 246.0-day season in Caddo Parish 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 Caddo Parish, LA?
Caddo Parish is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Caddo Parish, LA?
Caddo Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 14.
Your Caddo Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Caddo Parish (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.