Basics

Ease of Growing
Easy
Grown as
Annual
Days to Maturity
35-180 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit
-
Hardiness
Hardy

Mustards actually prefer cool weather and are often grown as a winter vegetable or cover crop. They are quite frost tolerant, but may winterkill at temperatures below 26˚ F.

Crops
Fall
Growing Season
Short, Long
Cultivar Type
-
Growing Conditions
Cold, Cool

The ideal spot for mustards depends on the weather. If it's cool they should be planted on a sunny site.

Outdoor Growing Temp
45°F - 75°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp
45°F

Mustard germinates and grows quickly (if the soil is at least 45 degrees) so is usually direct sown.

Start Indoors
No
Start Outdoors
Yes
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool)

Cover crops need full sun when growing in winter, as days are shorter and the sun is lower in the sky. If grown in summer many will tolerate light shade (though they grow best in full sun).

Water
Low

Most of these crops are not particularly drought tolerant and will need regular watering in dry climates (especially when germinating and getting established). However they are mostly grown during the winter when the soil is fairly moist, so don't usually require much irrigation.

Feeder
Light

You do not need to fertilize cover crop in established gardens, as there will be plenty of nutrients in the garden to meet their needs. Since you will be incorporating them back in to the soil, growing them doesn't remove any nutrients from the soil.

The leguminous cover crops also fix nitrogen and eventually add it to the soil.

Suitability
Tolerates light frost, Partial shade
Small Gardens?
Yes
Containers?
No
Attracts beneficial insects?
Yes
Color
Fruit Size
- "
Plant Height
36.0 - 48.0"
Plant Diameter
- "
Hardiness Zone
-
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile

Mustard leaves are tender, mild and tasty when growing in cool weather.

Rotation Group
Soil Builders and Cleaners: Legumes + Corn + Potatoes