How to Grow Mustard
Mustard is known as the "King of the Condiments". In addition to the seeds,
which are used to make the mustard for our hot dogs, the greens are edible.
People have been using mustard as greens, to spice up their food for thousands
of years.
Home gardeners love this easy, fast growing, cool weather crop. The leaves
are great raw, in salads, or as a cooked greens. They are nutritious, and
healthy for you and your family. Mustard seeds are harvested to make the
condiment that you use on hotdogs, sandwiches, and more.
Did you know? There is a
National
Mustard Day.
Mustard and Your Health:
Mustard leaves are good for your health. It's low in calories and carbs,
yet high in vitamins. It is high in Vitamin A and C, contains calcium and
iron. It has cancer fighting beta carotene, anitoxidents.
Sowing Mustard Seeds:
Sow mustard seeds 1/4 to 1/3 inch deep, and 3" apart. Thin seedlings to 5"
- 9" apart. Separate the rows, 1 foot apart.
Sow seeds early in the spring and a second crop in the early fall. They prefer
cool weather, so leave the middle of the summer for the heat loving vegetables.
Maturity: 45-50 days
How to Grow Mustard:
Growing mustard plants is easy. The plants grow well in most good garden
soils. They prefer full sun and cool weather. Planting successive small crops,
separated about a week apart, results in a continuous supply of greens.
Mustard plants should be grown quickly. Use plenty of water, and ample amounts
of fertilizer, to promote fast growth of tender, green leaves. Water plants
during dry periods.
Keep the plants well weeded, so weeds rob the plants of water and nutrients.
It makes harvesting easier, too.
Harvesting:
Mustard greens are eaten raw, or cooked. Harvest leaves while young and tender.
Pick individual leave, or the entire plant. Leaves get tough and have a strong
flavor during hot, dry weather.
Mustard seeds should be harvested when the plants begin to yellow.
You want to leave them on the plants as long as possible, but before the
pods burst open and spill their seeds.
Make your own mustard - its very easy.
Insects and Pests:
Aphids and cabbage worms are common problems.
We recommend organic pesticides for use on Mustard plants and other greens.
Disease:
Mildews can affect the plant. Promote fast growing, healthy plants, so they
will be less susceptible to disease. Allow proper spacing to increase air
circulation. Avoid watering towards evening.
Hardiness:
Plants grow best in cool weather.
They may survive a light frost, but will succum to a hard freeze. If the
plants are still productive, cover them up when frost or freeze is in the
forecast.
More Information:
Our Garden Recipe Collection
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