Oriental Mustard plants are mostly hardy, leafy greens with hot mustard like flavor. Individual leaves can be picked for salads or stir-fry dishes. Oriental mustards can be grown as a seedling crop. They are useful for interplanting. There are a wide variety of leaf types and colors. Organic cultivars are available.

Ideal Site- Oriental mustards prefer an open site. They are also suitable for late cropping in an unheated greenhouse/hoop house, or in containers. No soil treatment is needed if following a previous crop. If not apply a low to medium-fertility soil improver prior to planting. Mustards like all Brassicas have a high nitrogen requirement and also need very firm soil. Test soil prior to planting if soil is too alkaline add Garden Lime or hydrated lime  . The ideal soil pH is 6.5-7.

Seed to Harvest- Mustards mature in 6-13 weeks, depending on cultivar.

Cultivation- The minimum germination temperature is 45F(7C).. Mustards are best sown direct but can be transplanted from cell packs. Some cultivars can be sown in spring and late summer, while others are only for late summer sowing only. Bury the seeds in the soil ½ in (1.25cm) deep.

Spacing- For harvesting young leaves 6x6in (15x15cm). Larger plants 14x14in (35x35cm). As a seedling crop broadcast sow thinly.

Plant Care- Oriental mustards generally require little maintenance. Water plants in dry weather. Although hardy enough to withstand most winters outdoors, crops planted under cover in September will produce a high quality, tenderer crop from winter to spring. Plants will also grow larger under cover, so increase spacing to about 15in (37cm).

Problems- Clubroot, aphids, flea beetle- to protect against flea beetle sow under row covers  or fine mesh.

Harvesting- Pull out the entire mustard plant when it reaches 8 inches tall, usually in about 6-13 weeks. Or you can leave the plant in the ground, removing just the lower leaves throughout the season.

Nutrients- Oriental mustards are a nutrition packed vegetable containing vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, K, dietary fiber, folate, manganese, tryptophan, calcium, potassium, protein, copper, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium.