When To Plant Mustard Greens In Louisiana

If you’re a Louisiana gardener, knowing when to plant mustard greens is the key to a long and productive harvest. This guide covers the optimal timing for planting in your unique climate, ensuring you get the most from your garden beds or containers.

Mustard greens are a staple in Louisiana gardens for good reason. They’re fast-growing, nutritious, and thrive in our cooler months. Getting the timing right means you’ll avoid the bitter bolting caused by summer heat and enjoy tender leaves for months.

Understanding Louisiana’s Planting Seasons

Our state has a long, warm growing season. But for cool-weather crops like mustard greens, we focus on two main planting windows. These windows align with the periods before and after the intense summer heat.

The goal is to grow mustard greens when temperatures are between 45°F and 75°F. This range produces the best flavor and leaf texture. Planting at the right time also helps avoid common pests that are less active in cooler weather.

Fall Planting: The Prime Season

Fall is arguably the best time to plant mustard greens in Louisiana. The soil is still warm from summer, which aids germination. As the plants grow, the cooling temperatures create perfect conditions.

Start seeds indoors or outdoors from late August through mid-October.
Aim to get seeds in the ground about 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost date.
For North Louisiana, this often means planting by early September.
In South Louisiana, you can often plant succesfully into late October.

Fall-planted mustard greens often yield sweeter leaves after a light frost. This “kiss of cold” enhances their flavor significantly.

Spring Planting: A Careful Second Run

A spring planting is possible but requires more careful timing. You must wait for the ground to be workable but get the crop in very early to beat the heat.

Plant seeds as soon as the soil can be worked, typically from late January to late February.
The window is short; delaying can lead to quick bolting as days lengthen and temperatures rise.
Using quick-maturing varieties is crucial for a spring harvest.

Spring-planted greens grow fast but have a shorter harvest period. You’ll need to watch them closely as warm weather approaches.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once you’ve chosen your planting window, follow these steps for a great crop.

1. Choosing Your Mustard Variety

Select a variety suited for the South. Some excellent choices for Louisiana include:

Southern Giant Curled: Heirloom favorite with frilly, tender leaves.
Florida Broadleaf: Smooth, thick leaves that hold up well in soups.
Red Giant: Beautiful purple-tinged leaves with a peppery kick.
Tendergreen: A mild, spinachy flavor that’s great for salads.

2. Preparing Your Garden Bed

Mustard greens aren’t too fussy, but they do best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Choose a spot that gets full sun (at least 6 hours) during the cooler months.
Loosen the soil to a depth of about 8-12 inches.
Mix in 2-3 inches of compost or well-rotted manure. This improves drainage and fertility.
A light application of a balanced organic fertilizer at planting gives them a good start.

3. Sowing Seeds Directly

Direct sowing is the easiest method for mustard greens.

Plant seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
Space seeds 1 inch apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart.
After seedlings emerge and grow their first true leaves, thin them to 6-12 inches apart. The thinned seedlings are edible!
Water the bed gently but thoroughly after planting.

Keep the soil consistantly moist until germination, which usually takes 4-7 days.

Caring for Your Mustard Greens

Proper care after planting ensures a bountiful harvest. The main tasks are watering, feeding, and pest watch.

Watering and Mulching

Consistent moisture is vital for tender, non-bitter leaves.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid frequent light sprinklings.
Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation is best to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like straw or pine needles) around plants. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps soil temperatures even.

Fertilizing for Fast Growth

Mustard greens are quick feeders. A side-dressing of fertilizer halfway through the growing season keeps them producing.

About 3-4 weeks after planting, apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer alongside the rows.
Blood meal or a balanced organic vegetable fertilizer works well.
Lightly scratch it into the soil surface and water it in.

Over-fertilizing can lead to excessive leaf growth with poor flavor, so follow package directions.

Managing Pests and Diseases

Common pests in Louisiana include flea beetles, aphids, and cabbage loopers.

Floating row covers placed over seedlings immediately after planting are the best defense. They create a physical barrier against insects.
Check the undersides of leaves regularly for pests or eggs.
For aphids, a strong spray of water from the hose can dislodge them.
For caterpillars, hand-picking or using an organic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is effective.

Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering helps prevent fungal diseases like downy mildew.

Harvesting and Enjoying Your Crop

You can start harvesting in as little as 30-40 days for baby greens, or 50-60 days for full-sized leaves.

How to Harvest

There are two main methods:

Cut-and-Come-Again: Use scissors to cut leaves about 2 inches above the crown when they are 4-6 inches tall. The plant will regrow for multiple harvests.
Whole Plant Harvest: For mature plants, you can cut the entire plant at the base. This is often done in spring before it bolts.

Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more leaves.

Storing Your Greens

Mustard greens are best eaten fresh but can be stored briefly.

Rinse leaves in cool water and dry them thoroughly in a salad spinner or with towels.
Place dry leaves in a breathable bag or container lined with a paper towel.
Store in the refrigerator crisper drawer. They should keep for about a week.

For longer storage, mustard greens blanch and freeze very well. They’re perfect for adding to soups and stews later on.

Louisiana Planting Calendar Reference

Here’s a quick regional guide to summarize the optimal timing for planting.

North Louisiana (Shreveport, Monroe): Fall Plant: Late Aug – Late Sept. Spring Plant: Late Feb – Mid March.
Central Louisiana (Alexandria, Baton Rouge): Fall Plant: Early Sept – Mid Oct. Spring Plant: Late Jan – Late Feb.
South Louisiana (Lafayette, New Orleans, Houma): Fall Plant: Mid Sept – Late Oct. Spring Plant: Mid Jan – Mid Feb.

Always adjust based on current year weather trends. A unseasonably warm fall or a late spring frost can shift these dates by a week or two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plant mustard greens in the summer in Louisiana?
It’s not recommended. Summer heat causes mustard greens to bolt (flower) quickly, making leaves bitter and tough. They also struggle with more pests during hot weather.

What are good companion plants for mustard greens?
They grow well with other cool-season crops like onions, beets, and carrots. Avoid planting them near other brassicas (like cabbage or broccoli) to help minimize pest spread.

My mustard greens have holes in the leaves. What should I do?
This is likely flea beetles or caterpillars. Inspect the plants closely. Using floating row covers is the best preventative. For existing infestations, organic sprays like neem oil or Bt (for caterpillars) can help manage them.

How often can I harvest my mustard plants?
You can harvest outer leaves every week or so using the cut-and-come-again method. The plant will continue producing as long as the weather stays cool and you don’t remove the central growing point.

Can I grow mustard greens in containers?
Absolutely. Choose a pot at least 8-12 inches deep with good drainage. Use a quality potting mix and water more frequently, as containers dry out faster. This is a great option for small spaces or patios.

By following this timing guide, you can enjoy homegrown mustard greens for much of the year. The fresh, peppery flavor of greens you grew yourself is a real treat. With a little planning for the fall and spring windows, you’ll have a reliable and delicious green for your table.