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When to Plant Mustard Greens in LaMoure County, ND

LaMoure County, North Dakota Zone 4a April

LaMoure County, North Dakota gardeners: here's your April plan

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for LaMoure County, North Dakota this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 11
Avg. first frost September 29
Soil temp (4") 40°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.3 hrs
May prep starts now
  • Transplants going out: mustard greens
  • Direct-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.

LaMoure County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 999 feet, LaMoure County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.

LaMoure County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
141 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

LaMoure County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25

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 LaMoure County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.6) overlaps with Mustard Greens's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). 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 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mustard Greens

5
successive plantings in your 141-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 10 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 07.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 72 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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 2.8" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3" 2.4" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3" 1.9" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in LaMoure 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 ~520 GDD — county provides 1,833 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline — LaMoure County, ND

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 – May 25
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 – Aug 17
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 – Jul 21

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

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

141 days in LaMoure County

Growing Tips for Mustard Greens in LaMoure County

Direct sow Mustard Greens outdoors after May 11 in LaMoure County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 141.0-day season in LaMoure 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 LaMoure County, ND?

LaMoure County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is LaMoure County, ND?

LaMoure County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 29.

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Your LaMoure County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for LaMoure 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 LaMoure County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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