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Guides > Vegetables > Mustard |
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Guide to Growing Mustard |
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Overview |
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This cool-season green adds a peppery zing to salads, and makes an attractive addition to ornamental plantings. When plants bolt, harvest flowers and seedpods for salads, too. |
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Growing Guide
GROWING NOTES
Benefits from some shading during warm weather.
Prefers well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Can tolerate slightly alkaline soil. Needs plentiful, consistent moisture.
Some varieties have contrasting white or purples stems and veins, or have crinkled or savoyed leaves.
MAINTAINING
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.
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Harvesting Guide
HARVESTING
The leaves and leaf stalks are eaten. The seeds can be ground and used as a condiment. Pick off individual leaves as they grow, or cut the entire plant at ground level. Harvest when the leaves are young and tender; in summer, the texture may become tough and the flavor strong. Harvest the entire crop when some of the plants start to go to seed.
SAVING SEEDS
Harvested seed stalks are cured for 1–2 weeks. Pods are then threshed
with sticks and sifted by hand. Seed is brittle and should not be crushed when handled. Seed is dried in partial sun, then cleaned and stored.
Dried seeds can be safely stored for at least three years. Place seeds in
jars, manila envelopes, cloth or mesh bags, plastic containers, or foil envelopes. The best containers are air-tight, such as a sealed glass jar, metal can, or foil envelope. Protect seed from sunlight. Store seeds in a cool (below 15 °C is ideal), dry location. Place the seeds in a refrigerator for longterm storage. For short-term storage, keep the seeds in a cool, shady and dry place.
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