Growing Mustard Greens

Greens are one of the easiest things in the world to grow.  They are effortless and delicious if you ask me.

We southern gals like our greens.

They go with everything.

And they are super healthy.

One cup of mustard greens provides 500% of your daily intake of vitamin K, 85% of vitamin A and 60% of vitamin C.  They also contain manganese, fiber, calcium, folates and even protein.

Mustard greens win in the “most nutrition in the least amount of calories” department.  One cup of Mustard greens contains just 20 calories.  source

If you don’t eat greens – you should.

If you’ve never grown greens – don’t miss your chance!

It is August and 110 degrees outside and believe it or not, it is time to plant the fall garden.  Do not get me going on the heat or humidity, because I would be happy to complain until next Tuesday.

I chose to be grateful, put on a sweatband and drink buckets of water.

Let’s Go!

Mustard green seeds can be planted from mid-August until mid-September in Kentucky.  When shopping for seeds look for the packet that says “Mustard.”  This is not the yellow stuff you put on your cheeseburger.  “Mustard” is a leafy green that is crazy healthy.

PLANT

Some years I plant my mustard seeds in cute rows.  Other years I just sprinkle seeds all over a bed and use a metal rake to gently cover them with some topsoil.

Either approach works fine.

Direct sow seeds about 1/2 inch deep.  Space seeds 3 inches apart.  If too many seeds make it into the row, do not sweat it, you can thin the row once the leaves emerge.

EXPERT TIP:  Check your local forecast before planting mustard.  You want some overcast days and preferably rain.  If it is scheduled to be 100 degrees and hot for the next 10 days you may want to wait before sowing seeds.  Even with daily watering, in very hot temperatures the seeds will sprout and then fry in the heat.

HARVEST

Mustard greens are ready to harvest 35-60 days after planting (when the leaves are a good size).  If you prefer baby-mustard greens you can harvest as soon as 20 days after planting!  The full-size plant will be 12-18 inches tall.

I cut off the top of my mustard plants and leave the roots in the ground to regrow new tops.  This is one of the fantastic qualities of mustard greens.  They can be harvested up to 4 times!   The leaves usually get taller with each growth.

STORE

Store cut, washed leaves in the refrigerator in a zip-top bag (shove a paper towel in the bottom of the bag to control moisture) for 2 or more weeks.  Discard when leaves begin to wilt.

EAT

Mustard greens can be enjoyed raw in salads (this is great for baby greens) or cooked as a southern side dish.

Mustard green recipe HERE.

EXPERT TIP:  If the greens are young and tender they will cook in a matter of minutes.  If the greens are mature and thick they will have longer cooking times.

Happy Gardening!

XO,

Candi