Mustard

Plant family

Crucifers (Brassicaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Semi-shaded

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Light germinator

Seeding distance

20 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

2 cm

Instructions

Description

Mustard is divided into 3 varieties: The white, brown and black mustard (Sinapis alba, Brassica juncea and Brassica nigra). They all 3 belong to the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae). They are used as annual green manure and as a spice plant for making mustard from their seeds. It develops rapidly, covers the soil quickly and intensively roots the topsoil. Do not grow with other crucifers because of possible disease transmission and follow crop rotation. Mustard varieties differ in the size of their growth, black mustard grows very tall up to 2 m, white mustard grows up to 70 cm high.

Growing tips

If you want to use mustard as a green manure or intercrop, it can happen any time after the harvest of the previous crop, only for the seeds should be planted in mid-May to mid-June. If sowing outdoors, protect from birds, as they like to eat the seeds. Water in case of drought. The leaves can be harvested throughout the year and used in salad or like spinach.