MUSTARD - TATSOI

 Organic Mustard Tatsoi

        50 Seeds Pack   

Tatsoi, originally native to the region near the Yangtze River in Central China, has a cultivation history dating back to at least the 6th century. It made its way to Japan during the late Edo period. Referred to as "Tah Tsai" in China, Tatsoi, also known as Rosette Pak Choi, stands out as one of the most favoured oriental greens. This small, low-growing plant typically reaches a height of 20 to 25 centimetres and forms a compact rosette with oval, spoon-shaped leaves, spanning 25 to 30 centimetre's in diameter. The glossy leaves exhibit a slightly cupped appearance and are first harvested at around 10 centimetres in length, displaying shades ranging from pale to dark green. The leaves feature a smooth, soft, and semi-crinkled surface with prominent veining that converges into a stem, either white or green depending on the variety. The stems are crisp, watery, and tender, reminiscent of celery heart.

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.