When to Plant Mustard Greens in Lake of the Woods County, MN
This month in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota
Your garden in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Plant out mustard greens
Your last frost (May 19) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
-
Outdoor sowing time: mustard greens
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- Starting indoors: mustard greens
- First harvests: mustard greens
- Fall sowing: 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.
Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 126 days.
At an elevation of 1,032 feet, Lake of the Woods County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.
Lake of the Woods County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-7.2
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 Lake of the Woods County
How your county's soil matches Mustard Greens's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–7.2) overlaps with Mustard Greens's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lake of the Woods County is excellent for Mustard Greens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Mustard Greens.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Mustard Greens will thrive.
How to Plant Mustard Greens
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Mustard Greens
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 30.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Lake of the Woods 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 — Lake of the Woods County, MN
Mustard Greens Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Direct Sow | May 12 | May 12 – Jun 2 |
| Harvest | June 23 | Jun 23 – Aug 25 |
| Fall Sowing | June 30 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| 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 3b
📆 Growing Season
126 days in Lake of the Woods County
Growing Tips for Mustard Greens in Lake of the Woods County
Direct sow Mustard Greens outdoors after May 19 in Lake of the Woods County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 126.0-day season in Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods County, MN?
Lake of the Woods County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lake of the Woods County, MN?
Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 22.
Your Lake of the Woods County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lake of the Woods County (Zone 3b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.