Quck answer
Mustard greens are easy to grow and can be harvested in as little as 30 days. To grow mustard greens, start by selecting a sunny location with well-drained soil. Sow the seeds directly into the soil, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Water the seeds regularly to keep the soil moist. As the plants grow, thin them out to provide enough space for each plant to reach its full size. Harvest the leaves when they are young and tender for the best flavor. Mustard greens are a nutritious addition to salads, stir-fries, and soups. Enjoy the fresh taste of homegrown mustard greens!
When you add mustard to your hot dog, you probably don’t consider it a vegetable. However, this popular condiment is derived from the seeds of the mustard plant (Brassica juncea) and has low calories, fat, and sugar content, making it guilt-free. The leaves of the mustard plant are often overlooked. Mustard greens are edible and add an indescribable zest to salads and other dishes.
Although technically a biennial plant that completes its life cycle in two years, mustard greens are grown as an annual in the United States. This cool-weather crop thrives in spring and fall temperatures rather than intense summer heat, and it can be harvested both early and late in a single growing season. Mustard greens are easy to cultivate and mature quickly, offering gardeners a sense of instant gratification.
Are Mustard Greens Toxic?
Mustard greens are a safe and highly nutritious addition to your diet. They are not considered toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA. While Brassica juncea is not specifically listed as toxic to horses by the ASPCA, nearly a dozen members of the Brassicaceae family are listed, including Brassica spp. (white, black, and yellow Indian mustard). Therefore, it is advised to avoid feeding Brassica juncea to horses or planting it where they can access it. However, you can safely grow Brassica juncea alongside your other vegetables or flowers or include it in an edible container garden on your patio, deck, or balcony.
Top Uses for Mustard Greens
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can harvest the seeds from your mustard plant and make your own mustard at home. However, this process is time-consuming, so most home gardeners grow mustard greens solely for their tasty leaves.
One cup of mustard greens provides an abundance of vitamin K, as well as vitamins A, C, and E. Mustard leaves are also rich in nutrients such as fiber and manganese. The plants have an attractive green color and produce beautiful yellow flowers at the end of their life cycle, making them suitable as border plants to save space in the vegetable garden. Mustard greens also thrive in containers, making them perfect for apartment balcony gardens.
How to Cultivate Mustard Greens
Plant Profile: Mustard Greens
- Common Name: Mustard or mustard greens.
- Botanical Name: Brassica juncea.
- When to Plant: Early spring and late summer, when nighttime temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- USDA Zones: Annual in zones 2-11.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun or partial shade.
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil.
- Signs of a Problem: Leaves with spots or discoloration.
- Signs of a Healthy Plant: Vibrant, green leaves without spots or insect damage.
Starting Mustard Greens From Seeds
Mustard greens can be easily grown from seeds, which is the most common method among gardeners. There are curled and flatleaf varieties, but both have the same taste. Some gardeners find it slightly more challenging to wash curled leaves, but if you keep your garden beds clean and mulched, this should not be a problem.
Before planting, incorporate about 3 inches of compost into the top 6 inches of soil. This will reduce or eliminate the need for fertilization later on.
Plant your seeds directly in the ground three weeks before the last frost in your area. You can start when the soil temperature reaches 40 degrees. You can also plant a second crop in late summer for a fall harvest. Mustard seeds can tolerate light frosts and some people believe they taste better if exposed to one.
There is no need to plant mustard green seeds deeply. Simply push the seeds just under the soil and water them gently. Space the seeds 1/2 inch apart. When they germinate in four to seven days, thin them to 3 inches apart.
If you are planting your greens in a container, fill it with rich potting soil, scatter the seeds on the surface, and then water.
Starting Mustard Greens From Seedlings
Most gardeners start mustard greens from seeds because they sprout easily. However, seedlings can also be used. To plant seedlings, follow the same steps as planting seeds and mix compost into the soil.
Plant each seedling at the same depth as it was in its original container. If you have multiple seedlings in one container, you may need to separate the roots before planting. If the roots cannot be separated by hand, use a clean, sharp knife.
Space the seedlings about 3 inches apart. If there are clumps where multiple seedlings grew together, leave 12 inches of space between them. Water the seedlings thoroughly after planting.
Which Zone is Best for Growing Mustard Greens?
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Mustard greens grow best in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 through 11 as a cool-season annual. Northern gardeners plant them in spring and fall, while those in warm regions usually grow them over the winter. When the season ends, the mustard plant produces yellow flowers, goes to seed, and then dies.
When is the Best Time to Plant Mustard Greens?
Mustard greens take about 30 to 40 days to mature, and it is best to plant them before the temperature reaches 75 degrees in your area. Mustard greens grown in warm temperatures do not taste good and become bitter instead of tangy.
For gardeners in the North, this means planting early in spring, about three weeks before the last expected frost when the soil temperature is above 40 degrees. Many gardeners also plant in late summer or fall, about 40 days before the first killing frost.
In warmer climates, it is necessary to plant mustard greens in fall or early winter. Plant whenever the temperatures are above 40 degrees but below 75 degrees. The growing temperature is the most important factor, so adjust your planting schedule to match your microclimate.
Soil, Sunlight, and Water Recommendations for Mustard Greens
When growing vegetables, it is important to consider the growing conditions. Poor conditions can result in unappetizing vegetables, and this applies to mustard greens as well. Provide them with 2 inches of water per week during the growing season and avoid letting them dry out completely. Drought can negatively affect the flavor.
Mustard greens prefer a neutral soil pH between 6 and 8 and require full sun. They can tolerate light shade if necessary, but full sun will enhance the flavor.
These plants can benefit from the application of fertilizer. However, due to their fast growth rate, it can be difficult to determine the ideal time for fertilization. Instead, it is recommended to add compost to the soil before planting and avoid using fertilizer during the growing season.
To ensure optimal growth, it is important to keep weeds away from mustard greens so they do not have to compete for water and nutrients. Mulching around the plants can help reduce weed growth, although it may not completely eliminate them. Regular weeding is necessary until the plants are large enough to fend for themselves.
Winterizing Mustard Greens
Mustard greens are capable of surviving frost, and some gardeners believe that the plant develops a better taste when exposed to at least one frost before harvest. However, a severe frost or freeze can kill mustard plants, and there is no effective way to protect them. Additionally, if mustard greens are allowed to enter their second year of growth, they will go to seed and fail to produce a harvest.
For gardeners in the South, the growing conditions may differ. High summer temperatures in these regions can lead to poor growth of mustard greens in the spring and fall. Any greens that do grow are likely to be tough and bitter.
As an alternative, it is recommended to plant mustard greens late in the fall and allow them to grow throughout the winter. As long as the temperature does not drop below 35 degrees, the plants will thrive during the winter months.
Harvesting Mustard Greens
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Mustard greens typically take 30 to 40 days to mature and be ready for harvest. During this time, you can choose your preferred harvesting method. One option is to utilize mustard greens as a cut-and-come-again crop. This involves cutting off the outermost leaves at ground level using a sharp knife, while leaving at least 2/3 of the leaves on the plant to mature for later harvesting.
Alternatively, you can wait for the entire plant to mature and then harvest all of the leaves at once. Some gardeners prefer a combination of both methods, harvesting a few leaves at a time as the plant grows and then harvesting the entire plant at the end of the season.
If you find yellow flowers on the plant, it means you have waited too long to harvest. These flowers can be kept for decoration or dug up and composted. However, they are not very tasty at this stage.
Once harvested, mustard greens can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three weeks. If you wish to keep them for a longer period, you will need to dry or freeze them.
Common Pests and Other Issues for Mustard Greens
The most common pests that affect mustard greens are cabbage loopers, flea beetles, and cabbage worms. If you prefer to avoid using chemicals, floating row covers are usually effective in preventing these pests. Alternatively, you can apply insecticidal soap to the plants. For more severe infestations, Sevin can be used for beetles, and products containing Bacillus thuringiensis can be used for caterpillars and worms.
Aphids and slugs may also be attracted to mustard greens, as is common with leafy greens. These insects can be removed by hand or by spraying them with water to knock them off the plants.
Mustard Greens: Common Diseases
Similar to other leafy plants, mustard greens can be affected by fungal or bacterial diseases if not properly cared for. It is important to space out your plants to allow for sufficient air circulation, avoid watering the leaves directly, and refrain from working in the garden when the soil is wet. Regularly remove fallen leaves, uproot dead plants, and maintain a clean garden to prevent any issues.
Another disease that mustard greens are susceptible to is clubroot, but it can be prevented. By rotating the planting of mustard greens and other plants from the Brassicaceae family, you can give the soil a three-year break from cruciferous species between each planting. Additionally, it is beneficial to maintain a soil pH level between 6.5 and 6.8.
