How to grow Mustard Greens in Australia
Grow in full sun to part shade in fertile, moisture-holding soil, spacing plants for good airflow. Keep the soil evenly moist for tender, less pungent leaves, as heat and dryness make them harsher and trigger bolting.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 25 cm
- Time to harvest: 40 days
- Time to germinate: 5 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to September | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to September | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to September | Cool-season preference; April to Sept more reliable than summer. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep. Cool season slows bolting. Can sow Aug to Sep for late autumn crop. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | |
| Perth & WA | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep. Fast cool season green; doubles as a biofumigant break crop in nematode beds. |
| Tasmania | August to March | Sow Aug to Mar. Flavour sharpens with frost. Very reliable. |
| Canberra & ACT | January to April | Sow Jan to Apr for autumn and winter picking. Flavour improves with frost. Winter sowing fails in cold soil. |
| North Queensland | May to September | Dry season May to Sep. Mustard greens tolerate tropical heat better than other brassicas. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to September | Dry season May to Sep. Mustard greens tolerate tropical heat better than other brassicas. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick young leaves for a milder bite, or larger ones for stronger flavour. Take outer leaves and leave the centre, and it keeps producing before it bolts.
Storage
Fridge in a damp cloth, up to 4 days.