When to plant Mustard Greens in Oxford

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 Oxford · last frost ≈ 24 Apr

Sow outdoors April to September, harvest April to October. Frost risk October to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Small Batches

    3 Apr to 24 Sept Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow small batches around 3rd April - 24th September, 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

    13 Apr to 29 Oct 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

    3 Apr to 29 Oct

    From 3rd April, cover each sowing with mesh from sowing or as soon as it emerges. Hand-pick slugs or use a barrier. Keep this up through 29th October.

  4. 04

    Water Regularly

    3 Apr to 29 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, keep the soil evenly moist from 3rd April through 29th October. Dry, hot spells can trigger bolting. Water at the base.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves

    24 Apr to 29 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every week

    Start picking after each sowing from 24th April, as soon as the leaves are young enough to eat. Cut outer leaves little and often. Fuller leaves taste hotter. Keep picking through 29th October.

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.