Indian mustard is a spinach-like plant used for salads, and to produce seeds for mustard powder and dressings. It can have a sour or mild flavor. Like all winter plants, Indian Mustard is ideal to start from seeds and to grow in the cold period.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Planting the Indian Mustard
Step 1. Assess if your area is warm enough for Indian Mustard
This plant is hardy and can survive the winter in zones 7 and above. In colder climates, seeds can be planted in early spring and harvested in the fall.
- Check your temperature zone at www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/.
- Start the seeds about four weeks before the last frost.
Step 2. Buy the seeds
If your local garden store doesn't have them, you may need to order them from a seed company through catalog or online. When buying seeds, be sure to choose a seed type that works well for containers if you want to grow in containers.
Try seeds like Tokyo Bekana and Komatsuna for a change from the traditional Indian Mustard. They are ideal as a base for salads
Step 3. Use soil with a pH between 6 and 6.5 or growing compost
Plant the seeds in loose soil in a large container at least 30cm deep or in garden soil by loosening it for at least 30cm deep. Fix the soil with compost before planting to improve soil quality.
Have an analysis done on the composition of the soil, if you have doubts about the pH of the soil in your garden. A growing medium will work well without the need for analysis
Step 4. Sow the seeds in a flower bed or in a container about 30 cm away
Put three seeds together and then thin out keeping only the strongest plant. Plant the seeds 0.5 to 1cm deep.
- Plant one or two groups of seeds per pot. Plants remain fairly compact at full height.
- You can also plant the seeds in a border flower bed, in flower boxes, along the sidewalks or in flower beds.
Step 5. Plant the seeds in February if you can cover and protect them with a protective hood
Indian mustard can survive frosts, and light frosts can make their taste sweeter.
Step 6. Continue planting short rows close together every three weeks to ensure continued harvesting
The seeds germinate in 7 - 10 days. If summer is very hot, take a break during the hottest part of the season and plant again in the fall.
Part 2 of 2: Growing and Harvesting Indian Mustard
Step 1. Place the container or flower bed in full sun to increase germination
Shade if it's too hot, as Indian mustard suffers in hot weather.
Step 2. Keep the soil moist
The containers may need to be watered every day or every other day. If the soil dries up, seed production is favored.
Step 3. Continuously weed the soil
This type of mustard does not compete well with other plants.
Step 4. Move the plants to a cooler spot if the temperature rises
Plants will spoil in dry or very hot weather.
Step 5. Harvest by trimming the outer leaves of the plant
Don't cut all the leaves at once. Also consider that the larger leaves have a more bitter taste.
