MUSTARD-MIZUNA

 Organic Mustard Mizuna

        100 Seeds Pack   

Mizuna, scientifically classified as Brassica juncea, is a leafy green that belongs to the Brassicaceae or mustard family. It goes by various names such as Japanese mustard greens, Spider mustard, Kyona, Qian Jing Shui Cai, and California peppergrass. 

Typically ranging from small to medium in size, Mizuna stands at an average height of 35-40 centimetres and forms in bunches from a central stalk with lengthy stems. The dark green leaves are smooth, possess a glossy surface, exhibit deeply serrated edges, and present a fringed, feathery appearance. The slender, white stems are thin yet firm, providing a satisfyingly crunchy texture.

Mizuna is harvested at both the baby and mature stages. The younger leaves are more tender and milder, while the mature leaves are crisp, delivering a peppery, piquant, and mildly bitter-sweet taste.

PLANTING & GROWING

The aromatic herb can grow in plant containers in your balcony garden or inside near a sunny window.

Soaking needs to be done at least a few hours before planting, and preferably overnight. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it’s essential that you disinfect all of your pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before you reuse them.  

Sow the seeds 3mm (¼in) deep. Plants to be used when young should be planted or thinned to 10 cm apart, those to be cut frequently for their leaves, 20 cm apart and larger plants 30 to 40 cm apart. Ensure adequate supplies of water in dry conditions, if subjected to dry conditions, growth may appear stunted and plants will bolt prematurely. 

Individual leaves may be regularly cut so that a fresh crop is continually being produced. Cut when 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) tall, above the bottom set of leaves so that the plant can continue to grow - be sure not to cut the growing point! As many as five cuts from one plant over ten months may be made. The heads can be harvested whole by cutting at the base with a sharp knife, from around three to six weeks after sowing, although large plants will need six to eight weeks. 

Crops should be rotated to keep soil healthy. Avoid rotating with members of the cabbage family.

Grows well with bush beans, lettuce, cucumber, carrots, dill, spinach, onions, potatoes, and most herbs. Avoid planting with members of the cabbage family, bush beans, and strawberries.