How to Grow Mustard

 

Site Characteristics Sunlight: full sun part shade Benefits from some shading during warm weather. Soil conditions: requires well-drained soil Prefers well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Can tolerate slightly alkaline soil. Needs plentiful, consistent moisture. Plant Traits Lifecycle: annual Ease-of-care: easy Height: 0.5 to 2 feet Spread: 1 to 2 feet Bloom time: early summer mid-summer late summer Flower color: yellow Foliage color: medium green dark green red purple Some varieties have contrasting white or purples stems and veins, or have crinkled or savoyed leaves. Foliage texture: medium Shape: cushion, mound or clump Special Considerations Tolerates: frost - Tolerates light frost. Special uses: edible landscaping Growing Information How to plant: Propagate by seed Germination temperature: 45 F to 85 F - Will germinate at soil temperatures as low as 40 F. Days to emergence: 4 to 7 Seed can be saved 4 years. Maintenance and care: From early spring to late summer, sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows 6 to 8 inches apart. Thin to 6-inch spacings for smaller varieties, or up to 18 inches for large ones. Plant every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Some plantings may bolt quickly in response to increasing temperatures and day length. High temperatures and lack of moisture increase peppery taste. Use floating row covers to help protect from early insect infestations. To help reduce disease, do not plant mustards or other cole crops in the same location more than once every three or four years. Pests: Flea beetles White flies Aphids Mustards generally suffer less insect damage than other cole crops. Use floating row covers to prevent early season infestations. Diseases: Not as susceptible to diseases that often plague other cole crops.

 

Mustard is cool-season leaf crop. Sow mustard as early as 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Sow succession crops every 4 to 6 weeks. Mustard requires 30 to 40 days to reach harvest. Plant crops so that they come to harvest before temperature average greater than 75°F. Sow mustard in autumn or early winter in mild winter regions.

Description. Mustard is a hardy leaf vegetable with a rosette of large light or dark green curly leaves that grow to 3 feet tall. Leaves and leaf stalks are eaten and have a peppery flavor. The seeds can be ground and used as a condiment.

Yield. Plant 6 to 10 mustard plants per household member.

Site. Grow mustard in full sun or partial shade. Plant mustard in well-worked, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Add aged compost to planting beds before planting. Mustard prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8.

Planting time. Sow mustard as early as 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Sow succession crops every 4 to 6 weeks. Mustard requires 30 to 40 days to reach harvest. Plant crops so that they come to harvest before temperature average greater than 75°F. Sow mustard in autumn or early winter in mild winter regions. Seeds may be slow to germinate if the soil is too coo, 40°F or less. Mustard grown in hot weather or long days will bolt and go to seed.

Planting and spacing. Sow mustard seed ½ inch deep; when seedlings are large enough to handle thin them from 4 to 8 inches apart; space rows 12 to 24 inches apart.

Water and feeding. Keep soil evenly moist to keep leaves growing quickly. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Add aged compost to planting beds before sowing. Side dress plants with aged compost at midseason.

Companion plants. English peas, snap peas.

Care. Keep planting beds weed free. Pull mustard from the garden as soon as it goes to seed to avoid prolific self seeding.

Container growing. Mustard can easily be grown in a container. Broadcast seeds over the soil surface and cover lightly with soil. Thinnings can be eaten.

Pests. Mustard can be attacked by flea beetles and aphids. Wash these pests away with a blast of water.

Diseases. Mustard is susceptible to white rust. Remove leaves that have white rust. Water plants at the base of the stem keeping moisture off the leaves.

Harvest. Pick individual leaves when they are young and tender, 3 to 4 inches long, or cut and use the entire plant. Complete the harvest before the weather grows hot; hot weather will cause leaves to become tough and strong flavored. Complete the harvest before the plant goes to seed.

Varieties. Curled: Fordhook Fancy (40 days); Red Giant (23 days); Green Wave (45 days); Southern Giant Curled (40 days). Plain Leaf:Florida Broad Leaf (43-50 days); Tendergreen (34-40 days). Oriental Mustard Cabbage-green stalks: Chinese Pac Choi (60 days); Choi Sum (60 days); Dai Gai Choy (65 days). Oriental Mustard Cabbage-white stalks: Bok Choi (45-60 days); Chinese Flat Cabbage (40 days); Green-In-Snow (45 days); Joi-Choi (45-50 days).

Storing and preserving. Mustard will keep in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks. Mustard leaves can be frozen or dried. Mustard seeds can be sprouted.