Growing Mustard Greens

Growing Mustard Greens from seed to harvest. Mustard greens is a common name used for a wide variety of different plants in the mustard family. Peppery, crispy mustard greens are also known as leaf mustard. There are many mustard greens varieties, such as Osaka Purple, Red Giant Mustard, Florida Broadleaf Mustard and Mizuna, to name but a few. These very nutritious vegetables vary in leaf colors ranging  from green, to red and purple. The different varieties  also vary in leaf shape and size.

Growing Mustard Greens from Seed

• Seeds can be sown in the early spring for a summer crop and in mid-summer for a autumn-winter crop.
• It is best to direct sow the seeds, but they can also be started indoors.
• Sow the seeds 1cm deep in damp seed compost or soil and cover lightly with fine sifted compost.
• Keep the soil moist and seeds will germinate in 3-5 days.
• Once germination has taken place, the plants can be thinned out.

Maintaining Mustard Greens

• Grows best in sunny spots that receive three to four hours of direct sunlight a day.
• Hot temperatures and long sunny days may accelerate the bolting process.
• Likes well-drained soil amended with rich organic matter.
• Keep the soil evenly moist for best growing results.
• Plant seeds every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest period.
• Can be grown in containers as well.

Harvesting Mustard Greens

• Mustard greens can be harvested in about 6 weeks.
• To harvest, cut the large outside leaves at the base and leave the smaller, inner leaves to continue to grow.
• You can continuously harvest throughout the growing season.