Mustard Greens

This spicy green is delicious in stir-fries and soups or simply sautéed in olive oil with a bit of garlic. If flea beetles are a problem, cover the plants with a floating row cover until harvest. Mustard greens prefer cool temperatures, and most varieties will bolt (or flower) when summer brings warm weather and longer days.

Size: 12 to 24 inches

Sunlight requirements: Full sun (A minimum of six hours is ideal.)

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week

Soil requirements: Well-drained soil, high in organic matter. Excessive nitrogen encourages overly-tender growth and potential pest problems.

When to plant: Very early spring through summer. Direct-seed when soil temperatures are between 40 and 70 degrees F; sow indoors 3 weeks before transplanting in early spring.

Where to plant: Garden; containers

When to harvest: 40 to 50 days after seeding. Cut outer leaves for continual production.

Product storage: Store, unwashed, in plastic bags in the refrigerator.