Into The Bloom: How To Grow Mustard Greens At Home

Mustard Greens are a versatile and delicious leafy green plant that can be easily grown at home, even if you don't have a lot of space. They're easy to grow at home, and with a little care, you can enjoy fresh mustard greens all season long. They're also a great source of vitamins and minerals, making them a healthy addition to any diet.

Mustard greens provide a pungent, peppery taste to your salads, making them a must-have in the Indian kitchen. Its scientific name is Brassica Juncea.

Mustard greens have smooth or frilly leaves that can appear light green, purple, or reddish in colour. The name of this tasty and nutrient-dense small plant comes from the gorgeous tiny yellow flowers that mustard greens will bloom at the end of their growth season. These flowers are the same colour as the condiment prepared from crushed seeds.

How To Grow Mustard Greens At Home?

1. For the best growth, mustard requires rich, well-drained soil that is rich in organic materials.

2. Mustard Greens best grow during the winter season, so try growing at that time. It takes seven to ten days for seeds to begin to grow, and they do best around 55 to 65°F. As the temperature rises over 80°F, it can hinder the germination of mustard seeds. Planting seeds requires a ½-inch depth. Once sprouted the thin seeds stand with 3-4 leaves.

3. High summer temperatures stunt development, lower quality, force plants to go to seed and give rise to unpleasant or bitter flavours. Choose early maturing cultivars for mustard that will be planted in the winter. Since most fall plantings grow in colder climates, they are often of better quality.

4. Water Mustard Greens often to keep the soil evenly wet. Temperature and soil type both affect how much water is needed. Mulching around the plant helps in weed prevention and soil moisture conservation. Variations in moisture will make leaves rigid, limit their growth, and give them a bad taste.

5. To promote efficient plant growth, use ½ cup of nitrogen-based fertiliser four weeks after planting or thinning. Sprinkle the fertiliser into the soil by placing it on the side of the plants.

6. Keep your Mustard Greens safe from insects that can eat and destroy them. Make sure you cover the Mustard Greens with row cover cloth, you can easily get them from most gardening shops and stores.

7. The best time to harvest mustard greens is while the leaves are still young and fragile, while older leaves can be more bitter. After four weeks, when the leaves should be between three and six inches long, you may begin to pick them.

8. Mustard Greens are delicious in salads, stir-fries, soups, and sandwiches.

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When To Grow Mustard Greens At Home?

Mustard Greens are cool-weather plants, so they can be planted in early spring or winter.

In milder climates, they can even be planted over the winter season. Just be sure to avoid planting them in hot weather, as they will bolt (go to seed) quickly.

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How To Care For Mustard Greens?

• Mustard Greens are relatively easy to care for.
• They just need to be watered regularly, especially during hot weather.
• You can add a little compost to the soil when you plant them and use less fertiliser.
• To protect your plants, you can cover them with row covers or use a natural insecticide.

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