When to Plant Mustard Greens in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

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

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 Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs 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 Cool Temperate

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 10–35°C) ✓ Ready to plant

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

How to Grow Mustard Greens in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

September-May. Handles light frost. Spring and autumn best.

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

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Mustard Greens

Recommended Varieties

  • Red Giant
  • Golden Frills
  • Osaka Purple
  • Green Wave
  • Southern Giant Curled

Key Challenges

  • Slow growth in winter
  • Slugs in wet periods

Pro Tips

  • Melbourne climate suits mustard greens well
  • Light frost sweetens the flavour
  • Excellent cover crop/green manure if allowed to grow large

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 cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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

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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 Melbourne?

No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Feb to Jun. 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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.