When to plant Mustard Greens in Manchester

Brassica juncea

Mustard Greens
Mustard Greens · Brassica juncea

A fast leafy brassica for the UK garden. Sow little and often, keep the soil evenly moist, and give light shade in heat to help delay bolting.

30 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Manchester · last frost ≈ 17 Apr

Sow outdoors March to October, harvest April to November. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Small Batches

    27 Mar to 4 Oct Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow small batches around 27th March - 4th October, deep. Sow a fresh batch every 14 days.

    • Rake the soil to a fine tilth before you sow.
    • In hot weather, a little light shade and even moisture help delay bolting.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    6 Apr to 8 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to apart. Snip extras at soil level so you do not disturb the roots you want to keep.

  3. 03

    Protect from pests

    27 Mar to 8 Nov

    From 27th March, cover each sowing with mesh from sowing or as soon as it emerges. Hand-pick slugs or use a barrier. Keep this up through 8th November.

  4. 04

    Water Regularly

    27 Mar to 8 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, keep the soil evenly moist from 27th March through 8th November. Dry, hot spells can trigger bolting. Water at the base.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves

    17 Apr to 8 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every week

    Start picking after each sowing from 17th April, as soon as the leaves are young enough to eat. Cut outer leaves little and often. Fuller leaves taste hotter. Keep picking through 8th November.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Mustard Greens to consider

Green in the Snow

A reliable, hardy variety for cool-weather sowings with good flavour and steady leaf production.

Red Giant

Large purple-tinged leaves with a stronger flavour and fast growth in cool conditions.

Komatsuna

A fast, mild-leaved type that can be picked young for repeated harvests.

Mustard Greens guides by town

See how Mustard Greens timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.