Tropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for April, May, June, July.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Mustard greens in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartSow directLightFull or part sunTiming6–10 weeksDifficultyEasy
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August.
Start well
Plant mustard greens with confidence
Sow direct. As a starting rule, cover seed by roughly twice its diameter, then follow the packet where it gives a different depth.
- Sowing or planting depth
- Follow the packet; seed size and variety determine the correct depth.
- Germination or establishment
- Commonly 7–21 days, but the seed packet and current soil temperature are the best guide for the exact variety.
- Spacing
- 20–30 cm
- Soil
- Rich, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of mature compost; usually ph 6.0–7.0.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Use compost before planting and a light nitrogen-rich feed during active leafy growth.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Keep evenly moist; leafy growth becomes tough when plants dry out.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Keep growth steady with even moisture and net young plants before pest pressure builds.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
6–10 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Check leaf undersides for cabbage white caterpillars, aphids and signs of clubroot. Use insect netting early and rotate brassicas between beds.
Useful neighbours
Useful neighbours include dill, coriander, calendula and alyssum, which can support beneficial insects. Avoid crowding with other hungry brassicas.
People and pets
Safety note
No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026