When to plant Mustard Greens in the UK

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
Sow outdoors April to September, harvest May to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Sow Small Batches

    mid-April to mid-September UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow small batches around mid-April to mid-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

    late April to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates 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

    mid-April to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    From mid-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 late October.

  4. 04

    Water Regularly

    mid-April to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, keep the soil evenly moist from mid-April through late October. Dry, hot spells can trigger bolting. Water at the base.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves

    early May to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every week

    Start picking after each sowing from early May, as soon as the leaves are young enough to eat. Cut outer leaves little and often. Fuller leaves taste hotter. Keep picking through late 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.