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The best time to plant mustard greens in Louisiana is in the late summer for a fall harvest, and again in late winter for an early spring crop.
When to plant mustard greens in Louisiana really comes down to dodging the extreme heat of summer and the hardest freezes of winter, because these leafy greens thrive in cooler weather.
If you’ve been wondering when to plant mustard greens in Louisiana, the short answer is that you’ve got two perfect windows: August to September for fall, and February to March for spring.
In this post, we’ll break down the exact planting schedule, how Louisiana’s unique climate affects your timing, and some tips for getting a bumper crop of these peppery leaves.
Let’s dig into the details so you can get those seeds in the ground at the perfect moment.
When To Plant Mustard Greens In Louisiana: The Two Main Windows
When to plant mustard greens in Louisiana is all about understanding your local frost dates and the heat tolerance of the plant itself.
Mustard greens are a cool-season crop, which means they grow best when temperatures are between 45°F and 75°F.
Louisiana’s climate gives you two distinct times to plant mustard greens, and each window takes advantage of the milder parts of the year.
1. The Fall Planting Window: August to September
The first and most popular time to plant mustard greens in Louisiana is in the late summer, specifically from mid-August through the end of September.
This timing works because the soil is still warm from the summer sun, which helps the seeds germinate quickly in just 4 to 7 days.
As the plants grow, the days get shorter and cooler, which is exactly what mustard greens love.
By planting in August, you’ll be harvesting tender leaves by October and November, just in time for fall soups and holiday meals.
One big advantage of the fall window is that the cooler nights in October and November actually make the leaves sweeter and less bitter.
For south Louisiana, you can push the fall planting a bit later into early October because the first frost usually doesn’t arrive until December.
For north Louisiana, aim to get your seeds in by mid-September to be safe before the first frost hits around late October or early November.
2. The Spring Planting Window: February to March
The second time to plant mustard greens in Louisiana is in late winter, from mid-February through mid-March.
This window is perfect for a spring harvest because the ground starts to thaw and warm up just enough for germination.
In Louisiana, February can still bring a few chilly nights, but mustard greens are surprisingly frost-hardy and can survive light freezes down to about 25°F.
If you plant in February, you’ll be able to start picking leaves in April before the heat of May turns them bitter and causes them to bolt, or go to seed.
Keep in mind that spring planting in Louisiana is a race against the heat, so don’t delay past mid-March if you want a decent harvest.
Once daytime highs consistently hit the 80s, mustard greens will quickly turn spicy and tough, so the early spring window is your best bet.
How Louisiana’s Climate Affects Planting Mustard Greens
Louisiana’s humid subtropical climate is both a blessing and a challenge when you’re figuring out when to plant mustard greens.
The long growing season means you can often get two or even three successions of greens if you stagger your plantings.
But the heat and humidity also bring pests like flea beetles and diseases like downy mildew, so timing is crucial for healthy plants.
Frost Dates Are Your Best Friend
To nail when to plant mustard greens in Louisiana, you need to know your local first and last frost dates.
For most of Louisiana, the average last frost in spring is around March 1st in the south and March 15th in the north.
The average first frost in fall is around December 1st in the south and November 1st in the north.
Since mustard greens can tolerate a light frost, you can plant about 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost in spring and 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost in fall.
This gives the plants enough time to mature in about 40 to 50 days, which is the typical days-to-harvest for most varieties.
Succession Planting For A Continuous Harvest
Another great trick for when to plant mustard greens in Louisiana is to use succession planting every two weeks during those windows.
Instead of planting all your seeds at once, sow a small row every 14 days from August through September.
This way, you get a steady supply of fresh leaves instead of one giant glut that all matures at the same time.
The same works for spring, where you can plant a small batch in February, another in early March, and one last batch in mid-March.
Just stop succession planting by late March because the heat will stress the plants and cause them to bolt quickly.
Best Varieties Of Mustard Greens For Louisiana
The variety you choose also influences when to plant mustard greens, since some types are more heat-tolerant than others.
For the fall window, you can plant just about any variety because the weather naturally cools down.
For the spring window, it’s smarter to pick heat-resistant varieties that won’t bolt as quickly when temperatures rise.
Southern Giant Curled
This is a classic Louisiana favorite because it’s incredibly hardy and handles both cool and slightly warm weather well.
Southern Giant Curled has frilly, dark green leaves with a strong, spicy kick that many people love.
It matures in about 45 days, so it’s perfect for both the fall and spring planting windows.
Tendergreen (Also Called Mustard Spinach)
If you want a milder flavor, Tendergreen is a great choice.
It has smooth, spoon-shaped leaves that are tender and sweet, and it’s more heat-tolerant than most other mustard varieties.
This makes it ideal for the late spring window in Louisiana when the weather starts to warm up.
Florida Broadleaf
Another southern staple, Florida Broadleaf is known for its huge, thick leaves that are perfect for cooking.
It’s very frost-tolerant, so it’s excellent for fall plantings in north Louisiana where frost can come earlier.
This variety takes about 45 to 50 days to mature, so plan your planting date accordingly.
Tips For A Successful Mustard Green Crop In Louisiana
Once you’ve figured out when to plant mustard greens in Louisiana, you need to set them up for success.
Mustard greens aren’t fussy, but they do have a few preferences that will make a big difference in your yield.
Plant In Full Sun To Partial Shade
Mustard greens need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, but in Louisiana’s intense heat, a little afternoon shade can help prevent bolting.
If you’re planting in August, consider a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade to keep the soil cooler.
For the spring window, full sun is fine because the temperatures are still mild.
Keep The Soil Moist But Not Soggy
Mustard greens have shallow roots, so they need consistent moisture to stay tender.
Water them deeply about 1 inch per week, and more often if it’s been dry or unusually hot.
Add a layer of mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool during those warm Louisiana afternoons.
Fertilize For Leafy Growth
Since you’re growing mustard greens for the leaves, you want a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Mix in some compost or a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting time, then side-dress with more nitrogen about halfway through the growing season.
This encourages lush, vibrant green leaves rather than stunted growth.
Watch Out For Pests
In Louisiana, flea beetles are a common pest that will chew tiny holes in your mustard green leaves.
You can use row covers to protect young plants, or spray with neem oil if you see an infestation.
Aphids also love mustard greens, so check the undersides of leaves regularly and wash them off with a strong stream of water.
So, When To Plant Mustard Greens In Louisiana?
When you’re asking when to plant mustard greens in Louisiana, the clear answer is late summer for fall and late winter for spring.
Planting mustard greens in Louisiana is best done from mid-August to September for a fall harvest, and from February to mid-March for a spring harvest.
These windows align perfectly with the cooler temperatures and moist conditions that mustard greens need to thrive.
By following these planting dates and a few simple care tips, you’ll enjoy a steady supply of delicious, peppery greens that are perfect for cooking or eating fresh.
So mark your calendar, grab some quality seed, and get those mustard greens planted at the right time for the biggest possible harvest.
Happy gardening in the Bayou State.