Most people grow mustard for the seeds—after all, that’s how we get our favorite condiment! But did you know the leaves are actually delicious, too? That just leaves those gorgeous yellow flowers. If you’re wondering exactly when mustard plants burst into bloom, here’s the scoop.
Mustard Flowers: Appearance and Timing
The great thing about mustard is that it’s not picky at all; you can sow the seeds pretty much whenever you like. However, it won’t flower year-round. If you’re specifically looking to enjoy those bright blooms, your best bet is to get them in the ground in the spring—ideally around May.
When planted in the spring, mustard typically flowers throughout the summer, usually between June and September. The blossoms are a vibrant pale yellow and look almost identical to rapeseed flowers. Since mustard is part of the brassica (cruciferous) family, each little flower has exactly four petals.
Just a heads-up for the harvesters: once the plant starts flowering, it’s time to stop picking the leaves. At this stage, the leaves begin to die back so the plant can focus all its energy on producing seeds. Those mustard seeds develop inside pods, which will be ready for harvest in the fall, usually around October.
