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When to plant Mustard Greens in Carlton County County,

Carlton County County gardeners should plant Mustard Greens between May 5 and May 26 in spring. With Carlton County County's Zone 4a climate (last frost May 12), Mustard Greens needs 50 days to mature — plant by August 13 for a full harvest. A second sowing from July 10 to July 24 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mustard Greens in Carlton County, MN

Carlton County, Minnesota Zone 4a June

Carlton County, Minnesota gardeners: here's your June plan

Your Carlton County, Minnesota garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 12
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: mustard greens

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

  2. Pick mustard greens

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: mustard greens
  • Fall sowing: mustard greens

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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.

Carlton County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 516 feet, Carlton County receives approximately 32.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.

Carlton County, MN (Zone 4a) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
143 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2
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Carlton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Mustard Greens Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 19 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6

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 Carlton County

How your county's soil matches Mustard Greens's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.1) overlaps with Mustard Greens's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Carlton County is excellent for Mustard Greens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) — Mustard Greens will thrive.

How to Plant Mustard Greens

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mustard Greens

5
successive plantings in your 143-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 10.

Mustard Greens Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 2.7" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 2.8" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Carlton 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 needs ~460 GDD — county provides 1,644 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline — Carlton County, MN

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 – May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 – May 26
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 – Aug 18
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 – Jul 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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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 4a

📆 Growing Season

143 days in Carlton County

Growing Tips for Mustard Greens in Carlton County

Direct sow Mustard Greens outdoors after May 12 in Carlton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 143.0-day season in Carlton 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

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mustard Greens in Carlton County, MN?

Carlton County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carlton County, MN?

Carlton County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 2.

When should I plant Mustard Greens in Carlton County County, ?

In Carlton County County, , plant Mustard Greens after the last frost (around May 12) and before the first frost (around October 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Carlton County County, for Mustard Greens?

Carlton County County sits in USDA Zone 4a. Mustard Greens grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mustard Greens grow in Carlton County County's climate?

Yes — Mustard Greens grows well in Carlton County County's temperate climate. Carlton County County averages a 143-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 12 and first frost around October 2.

🌱

Your Carlton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Carlton County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Carlton County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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