Gardening 101: Mustard Greens – Gardenista

Mustard Greens, Brassica juncea

I’ve discovered to like peppery, bitter meals. Truthfully, I don’t fairly perceive the attraction, however I suppose it began with my intentional avoidance of sugary meals. With out that satisfying candy hit, I wanted a punchy substitute. Enter mustard greens. With winter right here and the veggie backyard a bit sparse and lackluster, mustard greens actually fill the void. Plus, they’re ridiculously nutritious.

Please hold studying to study should you ought to plant mustard greens.

This fast rising, cool season crop is underrated and never as in style and stylish as kale, however its signature spiciness undoubtedly garners consideration as soon as tasted. Mustard greens have been loved for hundreds of years starting within the Himalayan area of India, and at present many types exist and are featured in Southern, Chinese language, and Indian cooking.

Probably the most inexpensive technique to develop your individual crop is to plant seeds. Six weeks earlier than the typical final frost date in your space and ideally when your soil warms to greater than 40 levels F, plant a handful a couple of half inch deep and an inch aside. Evenly agency the soil on prime of the seeds and hold them moist till they sprout up. As soon as they develop a pair units of true leaves, skinny the seedlings so they’re about 4 inches aside. Then, should you let some flower and go to seed, it can save you the seeds and begin the method over. Professional tip: snip off the seed heads and allow them to dry in a paper bag then shake the bag till the seeds tumble from their pods; blow off the chaff.

Do not forget that mustard greens are thought of a cole crop like cauliflower and broccoli so should you’re into rotational planting, issue this into your four-year rotation plan. And, as it’s a cool season crop, the newest you may plant seeds is late spring; begin planting once more in mid summer time for a fall harvest. Or, should you dwell in a light local weather like me, plant seeds within the fall for a winter harvest. Proper now I’m rising Garnet Large Mustard that sports activities giant deep purple leaves with a spicy kick. I’ve additionally loved Pink Large and tooth-leaved Miz America.

My carnivore husband would say to prepare dinner the leaves in bacon grease with garlic then add a splash of apple cider vinegar. I favor them sautéed in avocado oil, and even eaten uncooked in sandwiches.

Observe: Individuals who take blood thinners or these needing to limit oxalic acid or have a thyroid situation needs to be cautious about consuming mustard greens. Additionally, it isn’t suggested to reheat mustard greens because of the nitrates.

Cheat Sheet

• Straightforward to develop in raised beds, containers, and in-ground.
• Add to your devoted edible backyard or combine some into your perennial backyard.
• The sunny yellow flowers function the proper winter snack for bees and different pollinators.
• Harvest leaves usually to keep away from older robust leaves from forming, and even take away some flowers and add them to salads.
• Can simply reseed should you let it.

Hold It Alive

• Grows in any soil kind however appreciates loamy soil, amended with compost.
• Can face up to drought as soon as the vegetation attain about 6″ tall however hold soil moist through the tender child weeks.
• Likes a sunny spot.
• Take away any yellowing leaves.
• Proper earlier than your mustard flowers, chop some leaves and add them to your soil as a result of the leaves act as a biofumigant and are stated to suppress illness and pests.

For extra on winter crops, see:

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