Broadleaf Mustard Green Seeds

Broadleaf mustard greens provide a bounty of nutritious greens from the garden. Large, broad leaves produce massive amounts of mildly spicy greens to enjoy, raw or cooked. Freeze your surplus for healthy smoothies all year long! Mustard greens are a good source of fiber and are rich in vitamins K, A, and C. This fast-growing crop can be succession planted every two weeks.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• Mustard greens are cool season crops that do best in cool temperatures. In Zones 9 and 10 they are happiest during winter and early spring, with seasonal rains. They can also be grown year round in mild areas. Row cover and shade cloth can extend the growing season. Mustard greens can be easily direct-seeded or transplanted out.

Zones 2-8

• Sow seeds early in spring to late summer. Row cover can extend the growing season.

Planting Mustard Greens

• Mustard greens are easy to plant directly in the soil or into starter pots and transplanted out.
• To direct sow, plant seeds in debris-free, well-worked soil that has been deeply watered. Cover with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
• If using starter pots, plant seeds into thoroughly moist high-quality seed starting soil. Place seeds on the top of the soil and cover with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
• Once your mustard greens have germinated and a first set of true leaves show, fertilize with an organic liquid fertilizer.
• When the plants are 3-4″ tall you can plant them out into the garden. If you are planting out during a warm spell or during the warm season, crop protection like shade cloth may be necessary.

Growing Mustard Greens

• Grow in full sun during the cooler part of the year. In warmer months mustard greens can take some shade. Use shade cloth to protect the crop if the weather is particularly hot.
• Mustard greens require good soil moisture. For Zones 9 and 10, this may mean hand watering daily or providing regular irrigation.
• Mustard greens are easy to grow and do not suffer from many pest or disease issues. Plant with adequate spacing to ensure good airflow around the plants. This will help with aphids and whiteflies. Please see the UC IPM link below if you experience pest issues.

Harvesting Mustard Greens

• Mustard greens can be harvested at any point they are worth eating. Simply strip the greens leaves from the plants and consume raw or cooked.

Growing Mustard Greens in Containers

• Mustard greens are a great container crop. Make sure your container is at least 20″ deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture. Mulch heavily on the top layer of soil in the pot to keep the soil from drying out or heating up too much.

Southern California Pro-tips

• In areas of Zones 9 and 10, mustard greens can grow year round but they will be less productive and tasty during the hot months.
• Mulch heavily around your plants to ensure the soil does not dry out or heat up too much.
• Protect plants during heat spells with shade cloth or row cover.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Mustard greens enjoy the company of flowers! Grow alyssum, nasturtium, and gaillardia around your plants for beauty and to attract beneficial insects.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests that can be an issue to mustard greens at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.