Seeding should occur from May 1 to 15 with seedings later than May 15 usually resulting in lower yields. Yellow mustard has about 100,000 seeds per pound and is seeded solid with a grain drill at the rate of 10 to14 pounds per acre. The higher rate should be used on heavy, fertile soils or on soils where emergence could be a problem. Oriental and brown type mustards which have a smaller seed, about 200,000 seed per pound, should be solid seeded at a rate of 6 pounds per acre. A double disk-opener press drill or air seeder can be used to seed mustard but depth control is critical for seed placement.
Soil crusting prior to seedling emergence can cause problems.
Do not backharrow. If mustard stands are poor, decisions to replant should be made rapidly. Fertilizer Mustard responds to nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer in a manner similar to small grains. Avoid using more than 10 pounds per acre actual N with the seed as germination injury can occur. Potash is rarely needed to increase mustard yields.