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Organic Gardening:

How to grow organic Mustard greens

by Frann Leach

Mustard greens for stir-fry

Mustard greens (Oriental mustard)

Brassica juncea

Family: Cruciferae (Group 2)

Mustard greens are very popular in China for stir-fry, and mostly used cooked. The oriental mustards are a very large group of rather coarse-leaved brassicas, usually having a spicy flavour. The main advantage for the gardener is that they are very robust, tolerating a wide range of soil types, and most are exceptionally hardy. Slower growing than many oriental greens, they are less suitable for cut and come again seedlings.

Site and soil

Choose an open, unshaded site with fertile, well-drained and moisture retentive soil, which should be slightly acid (min pH 5.4, but see note on clubroot - add lime if necessary to adjust pH). Brassicas have a high nitrogen requirement and also need very firm soil. To ensure sufficient nutrient levels, it is best to topdress or apply a liquid feed such as seaweed fertiiser during growth.

Recommended cultivars

Amsoi (moderately hardy)
Green in the Snow (very hardy)
Miike Giant (very hardy)

Because brassicas are prone to soil infections, for example, Clubroot, it's important to use a minimum 3 year rotation plan.

Sow in modules or direct from July to the end of August, spacing plants 30cm (12") each way. Although hardy enough to withstand most winters outdoors, crops planted under cover in September will produce a high quality, more tender crop from winter to spring. Plants will also grow larger under cover, so increase spacing to about 37cm (15").

Note on clubroot

Soil may remain infected for 20 years; steps to avoid introduction include:

good drainage
rotation
liming acid soils to a pH around 7
working in high levels of organic matter
ensuring clean plants are used - source must be known to be free of disease (best grown at home in sterile medium)
boots and tools used on infected land must be thoroughly cleaned before use on clean land

Once infected avoid growing any brassicas except fast maturing types such as Texsel greens or cut and come again oriental seedlings. If you have no other land available, and you must grow types with a lengthy growing season, you can try sowing seed in modules, and potting up until the plants reach a height of 10cm (4") before planting out. A root drench may also help.

If you're interested in healthy food, you may also be interested in our sister site, The Health Site, Your Online Health Channel.

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