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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Gentry County, MO

Gentry County, Missouri Zone 6a May

May to-do list for Gentry County, Missouri

Each item below is timed to Gentry County, Missouri's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 19
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for mustard greens

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. Pick mustard greens

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • First harvests: 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.

Gentry County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 702 feet, Gentry County receives approximately 41.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season.

Gentry County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Gentry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 9

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 Gentry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.7) overlaps with Mustard Greens's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Mustard Greens.

How to Plant Mustard Greens

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mustard Greens

7
successive plantings in your 179-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 06.

Plant Water Budget

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

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 2.9" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Gentry 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 ~580 GDD — county provides 2,595 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline — Gentry County, MO

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 – May 3
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 26
Harvest May 24 May 24 – Jul 26
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 – Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

179 days in Gentry County

Growing Tips for Mustard Greens in Gentry County

Direct sow Mustard Greens outdoors after April 19 in Gentry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 179.0-day season in Gentry 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 Gentry County, MO?

Gentry County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gentry County, MO?

Gentry County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 15.

🌱

Your Gentry County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Gentry 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.

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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 Gentry County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.