When to Plant Mustard Greens in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Sow March to August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is March.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Mustard Greens guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Mustard greens are fast-growing, peppery brassica greens available in a stunning range of leaf forms and colours, from the broad, purple-red 'Red Giant' to the lacy, golden 'Golden Frills'. They add spice and colour to salads and stir-fries. Faster than kale and more flavourful than mizuna, they fill the gap between mild Asian greens and spicy rocket.

Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - S S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D T/D - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Mustard Greens sowing time in Alice Springs?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Arid / Semi-Arid zone right now, Mustard Greens included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 10–35°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Mustard Greens in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

March-September. Autumn-winter only.

Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil with compost. Not fussy about soil type. Performs well in average garden soil.
pH Range
6.0-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun in cool weather. Part shade in warm weather to reduce bolting and excessive pungency.
Spacing
25cm apart, 35cm between rows
Watering
Consistent moisture for tender, mild leaves. Drought stress increases pungency and toughness. Water deeply 2-3 times per week.

Companion plants: Lettuce, Celery, Onion, Peas, Marigold

Avoid planting near: Other brassicas if disease present

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Mustard Greens

Recommended Varieties

  • Red Giant
  • Tendergreen

Key Challenges

  • Heat increases pungency to unpalatable levels
  • Water demand
  • Bolts in warm spells

Pro Tips

  • Shade cloth essential
  • Grow for baby leaf only in arid conditions
  • Quick crop minimises water investment

Harvesting Mustard Greens

When ready: Baby leaf: 10-15cm (3-4 weeks). Full size: 30-40cm (5-8 weeks). Leaves should be fresh and undamaged. Young leaves are milder.

How to harvest: Cut-and-come-again: cut 3cm above ground for regrowth. Or pick individual outer leaves. Harvest before flower stalk appears.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this September: Ginger, Chilli Peppers, Lemongrass and Beetroot.

The pest most likely to find your mustard greens: Cabbage White Butterfly.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

Common Questions About Mustard Greens

When do you plant mustard greens in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does mustard greens grow all year round in Alice Springs?

No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Mar to Aug. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.