Growing Mustard Greens

Grow Your Own Mustard Greens

Growing Mustard Greens is something that may be unfamiliar to many gardeners, but this spicy green is quick and easy to grow. Planting mustard greens in your garden will help you add a healthy and tasty food to your vegetable garden harvest. Mustard greens can be eaten raw or cooked, with the smaller young leaves being the most tender for salads. Larger leaves can be quite spicy but will get milder when you cook them. Like all greens, mustard is very healthy and filled with vitamins. It’s a good source of vitamins A, K, C and E. You also get folic acid, calcium and fiber. Growing and eating mustard greens is very popular in the Southern part of the US. Mustard greens are a cool weather crop that can be harvested in as little as 45 days. Keep reading more to learn how to plant mustard greens and the steps for mustard greens growing.

Types Of Mustard Greens 

• Vibrant mustard greens are hardy annuals that come in many varieties, mostly differing in maturity dates and leaf coloring as well as depth of spice. 
• Some, like Osaka Purple, are mild, while other varieties have a bolder flavor. 
• Oriental varieties including kai-choi and komatsuma have thick edible stalks that are sometimes pickled, and Red Giant and Pink Petiole Mix add a shock of leafy color to ornamental beds.

How To Plant Mustard Greens 

• Prepare a garden bed with well-drained, loosened soil.
• Plant 2-3 mustard seeds one-third to one-half-inch deep, 6 inches to 1 foot apart, as early as the soil can be worked in spring or directly after the hottest part of the summer season for a fall crop.
• Fill pots with loose soil and plant 2-3 seeds in each one, if you prefer container planting.
• Water the soil and keep it moist throughout the growing season. It's best to use a drip or soaker system to prevent the greens from getting wet, which can lead to a problem known as "common downy mildew."
• Thin seedlings to 1 plant per 6 inches to 1 foot.
• Weed the garden bed continuously to prevent other plants from stealing nutrients from mustard greens, which don't compete well with weeds.
• Prevent damage from pests by picking off any small caterpillars, worms or aphids that you spot on the plants.

Growing Instructions

• Take care of your plants while they grow with regular watering and weeding. Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not wet.
• Mustard doesn’t compete well so keep the bed free of weeds so your plants can thrive. 
• Water whenever the weather gets dry. Moisture-stressed plants will go to seed early.
• Though they are not particularly a heavy feeding plant, keep them fertilized to promote faster growing leaves.

Growing In Containers

• Mustard greens are ideal for containers because the plants stay quite compact and will provide a continuous harvest all spring (or fall). 
• Mustard plants will seldom grow taller than 3 feet high.
• Fill pots with loose soil and plant 1 to 2 plants per large pot. 
• You can fit more plants in your containers if you intend to harvest the leaves more frequently to keep their size down. 
• Keep the pots well watered especially when its getting hotter and the containers dry out faster.

Harvesting And Storage

• The mustard plants grow quickly and can be harvested in about six weeks.Harvest mustard greens continuously throughout the season by clipping a few leaves as needed and leaving the rest of the plant in the ground.
• Choose leaves that are 3-4 inches in length for best flavor. Avoid any leaves that look yellowed or unhealthy.
• Use scissors or a knife rather than pulling the leaves to avoid damaging the plant.
• Store unwashed mustard greens in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator for about three days after harvesting.
• Pull and compost the plants once hot weather arrives in the summer, as mustard greens become tough and bitter. 

Few Health Benefits Of Mustard Greens

• Dietary Fiber- Mustard greens are a good source of dietary fiber, which promotes good colon health, regulates the metabolism and aids in digestion.
• Eye Health- Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables with high levels of vitamin A have been linked with strengthening the eyes and the prevention of macular degeneration.
• Bone Health- A good source of both calcium and potassium, mustard greens may help promote good bone health and help prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
• Weight Loss- Highly nutritious, low calorie foods may help aid in weight loss. Vegetables with good amounts of dietary fiber such as mustard greens help regulate the metabolism and maintain a healthy body weight.
• Anti-Inflammatory- Preventing chronic inflammation is essential in reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, arthritis and more. Vitamin K and omega-3 fatty acids are two essential anti-inflammatory agents found in mustard greens. Vitamin K directly regulates the body's anti-inflammatory system. Omega-3 fatty acids are important building blocks of the widely complex inflammation system in the body

Fried Plantain And Mustard Green Tacos Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch mustard greens
• 2 very ripe plantains (skin should be black)
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 corn tortillas

Directions:

• Wash and roughly chop greens. Use the stems too, which should be finely chopped. Squeeze and shake out any extra water. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over high heat in a large, high-edged, covered skillet. 
• Add greens and toss until well coated. Cover pan and allow to cook for 1 minute, then toss again. 
• Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook several minutes more, tossing occasionally, until wilted. They should be soft, but not mushy. 
• Stir in sea salt, cover, and remove from heat.
• Line a plate with paper towels. In a large frying pan, heat remaining oil and butter together. To peel plantains, pierce the skin with a knife and run it down the fruit lengthwise. 
• Slice into thick, diagonally-cut discs, about 3/8-inch each. 
• Drop plantain slices into the hot pan and fry about 4 minutes per side, until very brown and caramelized. 
• Remove to drain on paper towels. 
• Spread the mustard green fry on the tacos and then put the fried plantains over the top and serve.