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When to Plant Mustard Greens in Yamhill County, OR

Yamhill County, Oregon Zone 8b May

This month in Yamhill County, Oregon

May is a pivotal month for Yamhill County, Oregon gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for mustard greens

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 15). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Harvest mustard greens as they ripen

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Yamhill County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 476 feet, Yamhill County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Mustard Greens during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mustard Greens root diseases.

Yamhill County, OR (Zone 8b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Yamhill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14

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 Yamhill County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.2) is more acidic than Mustard Greens prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Yamhill 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 (4.3%) — Mustard Greens will thrive.

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 195-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 18.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/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 7.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 2.8" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3" 2.1" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3" 0.9" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3" 1" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3" 2.4" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 9.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 8.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Yamhill 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 ~700 GDD — county provides 3,412 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline — Yamhill County, OR

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest May 20 May 20 – Jul 22
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 – Sep 1

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 Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

195 days in Yamhill County

Growing Tips for Mustard Greens in Yamhill County

Direct sow Mustard Greens outdoors after April 15 in Yamhill County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 195.0-day season in Yamhill 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 Yamhill County, OR?

Yamhill County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yamhill County, OR?

Yamhill County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 27.

🌱

Your Yamhill County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Yamhill County (Zone 8b). 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 Yamhill County, OR. 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.