Mustard Greens
Mustard greens, with their broad, ruffled leaves and peppery flavor, bring a vibrant and spicy touch to any garden. These leafy greens are known for their robust growth and striking appearance, with leaves that range in color from bright green to deep purple. Their bold texture and lively taste make mustard greens a standout feature in garden beds or containers.
In Florida planting zone 9, mustard greens thrive particularly well during the cooler months. The plants grow into lush, bushy forms, with leaves that can be harvested continuously throughout the season. Watching these greens flourish is a satisfying experience, showcasing the success and productivity of your garden.
For those new to gardening, mustard greens are an excellent choice. They are relatively easy to grow and provide a steady supply of nutritious and flavorful leaves. Whether you enjoy them sautéed, in salads, or as a spicy addition to soups and stews, mustard greens bring a zesty and healthy element to your meals, making your gardening efforts truly rewarding.
I would give mustard greens a 5 out of 5 on how easy they are to grow. They are very easy to cultivate and manage, making them perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
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Mustard Greens Varieties:
Florida Broadleaf
Heirloom
Description: Florida Broadleaf mustard is a traditional Southern variety with large, smooth, green leaves. It has a mild, slightly peppery flavor and is commonly used in Southern cuisine.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 7–9
Special Notes: Quick-growing and well-adapted to Florida's climate. It produces abundant greens over a long season.
Southern Giant Curled
Description: Southern Giant Curled mustard is known for its large, frilled leaves and spicy flavor. It is a fast-growing variety that produces tender greens ideal for cooking and salads.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 6–9
Special Notes: Heat-tolerant and slow to bolt, making it suitable for warmer climates.
Green Wave
Heirloom
Description: Green Wave mustard has deeply cut, frilly leaves with a bright green color. It has a strong, peppery flavor and is excellent for fresh use or cooking.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 4–9
Special Notes: Highly resistant to bolting and performs well in both cool and warm conditions.
Red Giant
Heirloom
Description: Red Giant mustard has broad, reddish-purple leaves with a spicy, mustardy flavor. It adds a pop of color to salads and cooked dishes.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 4–9
Special Notes: Cold-tolerant and can withstand light frosts, enhancing its flavor.
Mizuna (Japanese Mustard)
Heirloom
Description: Mizuna mustard has feathery, dark green leaves with a mild, peppery flavor. It is commonly used in salads and stir-fries.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 4–9
Special Notes: Very heat-tolerant and slow to bolt, making it an excellent choice for extended harvest.
Florida Vegetable Planting Guide
This guide provides information on when to start seeds inside, direct seed, and transplant starter plants in the different regions of Florida.
North USDA Planting Zones: 8b–9a
Central USDA Planting Zones: 9b & some of 10a
South USDA Planting Zones: 10a–11b
Visit the U.S. National Arboretum for an Exact USDA Planting Zone Map.
| Mustard Greens | North Florida | Central Florida | South Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Seeds Inside | Aug–Sep | Aug–Sep | Aug–Sep |
| Direct Seed | Aug–Feb | Sep–Feb | Sep–Jan |
| Transplant Starter Plants | Sep–Mar | Sep–Mar | Sep–Mar |
Planting Guide – Mustard Greens
Getting Started
Start Seeds Inside:
Mustard greens seeds should be started indoors to give the plants a head start before the cooler weather,
ensuring robust growth when transplanted outside.
Direct Seed:
Direct seeding mustard greens allows them to establish quickly in the garden, taking advantage of the
cooler growing season.
Transplant Starter Plants:
Transplanting mustard greens starter plants during the cooler months allows the plants to establish and
grow effectively without being stressed by high temperatures.
Mustard greens grow best in fertile, well-drained soil and cooler weather. Planning ahead for which crops you’ll start inside, direct sow, or transplant makes the rest of the season much smoother and more productive.
Soil, Sun, Water, and Spacing
Soil:
Mustard greens prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and structure.
Sun:
Full sun is ideal, but mustard greens can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates.
Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and
regulate temperature. Consistent moisture helps produce tender, flavorful leaves.
Spacing:
Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep, spacing them 5–10 inches apart and space rows about
12 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 6–12 inches apart to allow room
for leaf development and airflow.
Harvest, Additional Tips, and Support
Harvesting Mustard Greens:
Mustard greens are ready to harvest when the leaves are about 6–8 inches long,
typically 40–50 days after planting. You can pick individual leaves from the
outer part of the plant, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing for a continuous harvest.
Additional Tips:
- Mustard greens grow best in soil rich in organic matter—mix in compost before planting to boost fertility.
- Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Ensure mustard greens receive consistent moisture during the growing season to prevent stress and promote tender, less bitter leaves.
Support:
While mustard greens do not need physical trellises, they benefit from light row covers early in the
season to protect young plants from flea beetles, cutworms, and sudden cold snaps.
By selecting the right mustard varieties and following these growing tips, you can achieve a successful and bountiful mustard greens harvest in your Florida garden.
Fertilization, Care, and Common Problems
Fertilization (N–P–K Ratio):
Mustard greens benefit from a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content to support leafy growth,
such as 20-10-10 or 15-5-5.
When to Add:
Before Planting: Apply fertilizer to the soil before planting seeds
or transplants to promote strong initial growth.
Mid-Growing Season: Reapply fertilizer every 3–4 weeks
during the growing season to support continued leafy growth.
Application Tips:
- Follow the directions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilization.
- Apply fertilizer evenly around the base of the plants and water thoroughly to help nutrients reach the roots.
- Combine fertilizer with compost or well-rotted manure to feed both the plants and the soil life.
Pests and Diseases that Affect Mustard Greens in Florida:
- Aphids: Small insects that suck sap from leaves and stems, causing curling and yellowing.
- Flea Beetles: Tiny beetles that chew small holes in the leaves, giving them a “shot-hole” appearance.
- Cabbage Loopers: Caterpillars that chew large holes in the leaves.
- Cutworms: Caterpillars that cut down young plants at the base.
- Downy Mildew: A fungal disease that causes yellowing leaves with fuzzy, grayish growth on the underside.
- Clubroot: A soil-borne disease that causes swollen, distorted roots and stunted growth.
Blog post on Natural Fertilizers
Natural Pest Control
Companion Plants and Plants to Avoid
Companion Plants for Mustard Greens:
| Marigold | Bright, sunny flowers that come in yellow, orange, and red tones. Marigolds release compounds in the soil that deter nematodes and help repel aphids, flea beetles, and other pests that may attack mustard greens. |
| Onion | Bulbous vegetables with a strong aroma. Onions help repel aphids, flea beetles, and other pests, and their scent can mask the smell of mustard greens, making it harder for pests to locate them. |
| Nasturtium | Flowering plants with round leaves and vibrant flowers. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, luring aphids and flea beetles away from mustard greens while attracting beneficial insects that prey on these pests. |
| Dill | An herb with feathery leaves and yellow flowers. Dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory wasps that feed on aphids, cabbage loopers, and flea beetles, helping protect mustard greens. |
| Garlic | A bulbous plant with a strong scent and natural pest-repelling properties. Garlic helps repel aphids, flea beetles, and other pests and has antifungal properties that can help reduce downy mildew and clubroot pressure in the bed. |
Plants to Avoid Near Mustard Greens:
| Strawberries | Can attract pests and diseases that may also harm mustard greens. They also compete for nutrients and moisture in the same soil layer. |
| Tomatoes | Heavy feeders that compete with mustard greens for nutrients and water. Tomatoes can attract pests that may also feed on brassica crops. |
| Peppers | Can stunt the growth of mustard greens when planted too close, competing for nutrients and space and attracting overlapping pest complexes. |
| Garden Beans | Garden beans can inhibit the growth of mustard greens and may not thrive when sharing the same bed due to differing nutrient needs and interactions in the soil. |
|
Other Brassicas (Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Kale) |
Compete for the same nutrients and attract many of the same pests and diseases as mustard greens. Growing too many brassicas together can increase pest pressure and disease risk in the bed. |
These companion plants help protect mustard greens from pests and diseases while also enhancing overall garden health and productivity. Keeping conflicting crops at a distance gives your mustard greens the best chance to thrive.