Mustard Greens

[Greenthumb18]

I've planted some mustard greens for the first time this season. I always wanted to try them and decided to grow some this year. I have harvested some today and a few other times and it seems to have a different taste then say broccoli raab. I do enjoy it very much, I cook it the same way like broccoli raab with garlic and olive oil. It has a flavor and taste to it all its own. And its also very healthly for you with a lot of benefits. Has anyone else grown it before?

Here are some pictures of it:

 

[lesa]

Oh yes! I enjoy growing it as a companion plant. If you harvest early it is a fun flavor in salad. I usually let it go to flower, so I can collect the seeds. At first, I didn't think it was worth it- then I had to buy mustard seed for pickles - and I changed my mind!! Enjoy!

 

[NwMtGardener]

Great pics, those look yummy! Does mustard mind the heat of summer? I'm wondering if i could seed some soon-ish in a new herb bed in front of the house. I'm in thegrass-killing phase, laid pond liner over where i want the bed, but i'm getting antsy and may have to start digging soon!!

I wish i could convince my hubby that greens are good cooked! Or just good in general... But i would use the seed for sure!

 

[digitS']

I bought some "twisted-stem" mustard seed years ago and have saved seed from it. It is an oriental variety.

This year, I got some Southern Giant seed and planted it. It is so pretty!

Actually, I prefer some of the other brassicas to mustard but it is fine (and it helps that the Southern Giant is attractive and the "twisted-stem" is interesting). I was looking at the roots of the Komatsuna plants the other day and wondering how they pull very much in the way of nutrients out of the soil . . . shallow-rooted things. Maybe that's why the Komatsuna is so tender and tasty . . :/.

Anyway, Komatsuna is supposed to be a Japanese mustard but doesn't look, taste or even grow like these others.

Steve

 

[Greenthumb18]

NwMtGardener,
You could plant some mustard greens now and should have a nice harvest maybe by Fall.

digits,

I planted the same variety, Southern Giant. The edges of the leaves are curly.

 

[digitS']

I don't know what the flea beetle conditions are for you, Greenthumb. Here, they can be a fairly serious pest.

They punch holes in the bok choy and can really damage the radish so bad that they don't grow well or produce a nice root. The pest specialists describe the damage as "shot holes." The pests are fairly selective, I've noticed. They like radish and may not bother the cabbage and kohlrabi, nearby.

On the other mustard, the flea beetles can badly damage the leaves. The Southern Giant, however, is darn near untouched! Part of Southern Giant's bulletproof good looks . . .

Steve

 

[hoodat]

Great pics, those look yummy! Does mustard mind the heat of summer? I'm wondering if i could seed some soon-ish in a new herb bed in front of the house. I'm in thegrass-killing phase, laid pond liner over where i want the bed, but i'm getting antsy and may have to start digging soon!!

I wish i could convince my hubby that greens are good cooked! Or just good in general... But i would use the seed for sure!

Mustard can take pretty hot weather so long as it has enough water. That's one reason it's such a favorite green in the South. The hotter the temperature the more bite it has to it. In hot weather it can get too much bite for use in salads. Kind of like a horseradish taste.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Ohhhhh, maybe i better rethink this, not a huge fan of horseradish!!! I dont know if there can be any greater advice than WHAT NOT TO PLANT! I mean, i only have limited garden space, whatever i put in there had better be something i LOVE. Thanks hoodat

 

[digitS']

This would be "twisted" love, Heather:

I am fairly sure that I bought this from Evergreen Oriental Seed back in the Commodore Perry era of the steam navy . Evergreen doesn't carry a variety like this anymore. I got seed from Kitazawa for a "Wrapped Heart" mustard (click) a couple of years ago and it is virtually the same. The wrapping of the heart only occurred for me when growing it in the tunnel and they didn't all behave like that in there anyway. This twisted-stem mustard doesn't have much of a twist but there's some of that to it.

Kitazawa calls this a bok choy. Fedco calls it a "lettucy-type Chinese cabbage." I am very inclined to call it a mustard . . . Whatever it is, it is very pretty but has a mustard flavor. And, for all you Jennifers out there (& for those who enjoy having them around ) -- this is "Fun Jen":

Greenthumb has this ability to inspire me !

Steve