Want more nutrients in your diet? Grow mustard greens. Whether you've got a sprawling backyard or a pint-sized patio, mustard greens can thrive in all sorts of spaces. Imagine you, sipping your morning coffee while admiring your very own mustard green oasis, looking like the urban farming legend you were born to be.
Mustard greens prefer 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. Partial shade tolerated. Indoors: Grow in pots with bright light or hydroponically using grow lights for 10-12 hours.
Keep the soil consistently moist, watering regularly. Indoors, monitor soil moisture frequently; outdoors, water regularly, especially during hot weather. Mulching helps retain moisture.
Mustard greens are a cool weather crop and prefer 45-85°F, ideally 60-75°F. Plant outdoors in March-May and August-September in NYC zone 7b. Indoors, maintain 60-75°F year-round.
Indoors: 6-8" wide, 6" deep, 1 gallon; Outdoors: 8-10" wide, 10-12" deep, 3-5 gallons
Mustard greens thrive in well-draining mix with organic matter, such as compost from vegetable peelings or aged manure.
Use high-nitrogen fertilizer 20-10-10 every 3-4 weeks. Organic options: fish emulsion, compost tea. Consistent fertilization supports vigorous growth.
Mustard greens are ready for harvest 40-50 days after planting, or when the leaves are 4-6 inches long. Prefers cooler temperatures; providing shade during hot weather and harvesting leaves regularly helps prevent bolting.
Harvest outer mustard greens leaves regularly for continuous production. Regular trimming promotes new, spicy leaf growth.
Yellow Leaves: Ensure good drainage, avoid overwatering. Pests (Aphids): Spray with soapy water or neem oil. Slow Growth: Use balanced fertilizer. Wilting: Water consistently, avoid waterlogging. Diseases (Downy Mildew): Improve air circulation, use fungicide.
There are around 10-15 varieties of arugula gardeners commonly grow. One of the perks of growing arugula at home is the opportunity to experiment with different varieties that you won't find at the grocery store.
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