Basics
- Ease of Growing
- Temperamental
- Grown as
- Annual
- Days to Maturity
- 43-50 (Spring/Summer), 45-55 (Fall/Winter)
- Growing Habit
- -
- Hardiness
- Hardy
Mustards actually prefer cool weather and are often grown as a winter vegetable. They can be extremely frost tolerant.
- Crops
- Spring, Fall
- Growing Season
- Short, Long
- Cultivar Type
- -
- Growing Conditions
- Cold, Cool
The ideal spot for mustards depends on the weather. If it's cool they should be planted on a sunny site. If it's warm then some shade is a good idea since mustards do not taste as good in warmer conditions.
Mustards are in and out of the ground quickly, so are often used for intercropping between slower growing crops, rather than being given their own area.
- Outdoor Growing Temp
- 45°F - 75°F
- Min Outdoor Soil Temp
- 45°F
Mustard germinates and grows quickly (if the soil is at least 45 degrees) so is usually planted outdoors.
- Start Indoors
- No
- Start Outdoors
- Yes
- Light
- Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool)
Full sun.
Part shade (Cool)Mustard Greens will grow pretty well in shade.
- Water
- Moderate
If you want tasty, mild flavored mustard greens (and you do) you must keep the soil moist at all times. If the soil is too dry the plants will develop a bitter and pungent flavor.
- Feeder
- Moderate
High nitrogen. Moderate potassium. Moderate phosphorous. The Mustards need fertile soil to produce well.
- Suitability
- Tolerates light frost, Partial shade, Needs summer shade
- Small Gardens?
- Yes
- Containers?
- Yes
Mustards do very well in containers, just be sure to keep the soil moist.
- Attracts beneficial insects?
- No
- Color
- Reddish-Purple and Green
- Fruit Size
- - "
- Plant Height
- 12.0 - 24.0"
- Plant Diameter
- 8.0 - 12.0"
- Hardiness Zone
- 2-11
- Disease Resistance
- Taste Profile
Strong mustard flavor.
- Rotation Group
- Leaves: Brassicas + Leafy Greens