When to Plant Mustard Greens in Lawrence County, SD
Top priorities for Lawrence County, South Dakota gardeners in May
Your garden in Lawrence County, South Dakota is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Transplant mustard greens outside
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
June prep starts now
- Starting indoors: mustard greens
- First harvests: 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.
Lawrence County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.
At an elevation of 1,228 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 23.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mustard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.
Lawrence County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.3
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 Lawrence County
How your county's soil matches Mustard Greens's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.3) overlaps with Mustard Greens's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Lawrence County is excellent for Mustard Greens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). Annual compost additions will help Mustard Greens.
How to Plant Mustard Greens
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Mustard Greens
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 24.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 1.7" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 3" | 1.9" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3" | 2.2" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3" | 2.1" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3" | 1.9" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lawrence 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 — Lawrence County, SD
Mustard Greens Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 11 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Direct Sow | April 27 | Apr 27 – May 18 |
| Harvest | June 15 | Jun 15 – Aug 17 |
| Fall Sowing | July 24 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing 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 5a
📆 Growing Season
144 days in Lawrence County
Growing Tips for Mustard Greens in Lawrence County
Direct sow Mustard Greens outdoors after May 11 in Lawrence County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 144.0-day season in Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, SD?
Lawrence County is in Zone 5a 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 Lawrence County, SD?
Lawrence County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 2.
Your Lawrence County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lawrence County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.