Mustard Broad Leaf ( Brassica juncea ) is an annual vegetable grown for its mildly spicy leaves. Known as Rayo in Nepal, this variety of Mustard Greens is ideal for salads with its mild pepper flavour and dark green almost purple colour. The leaves are tender and can be added to stir-fry’s, sandwiches, salads or used to make a mild mustard sauce.
Broad Leaf Mustard is a fast-growing option that can be harvested within 45 days. Like most mustards, they are an excellent source of Vitamins C and K, and research has found that eating Mustard Greens can help prevent heart disease.
Another benefit of Mustard Tendergreen is that it can be cut down as it dies off in late-Autumn and used as a nitrogen-rich green manure. Broad Leaf is also known as Rayo in Nepal where it is part of a dish called Rayo ko Saag.
Other Mustard varieties available are Black Mustard, Tendergreen, Lime Streaks, Red Giant and Japanese Mustard.
Growth
Broad Leaf Mustard is a cold hardy vegetable that grows to 60 cm (24 inches). It requires moist, but well drained soil and prefers full sun, although tolerates some shade. In some climates, Mustard can be harvested all year round but grows best when sown to avoid hot sun and cold frosts.
Most mustard greens are cool season annuals and can tolerate light frosts for short periods. Broad Leaf Mustard can be harvested from 45 days from sowing and is slow to bolt. Space seedlings around 20cm apart.
As weather becomes too hot or cold, Mustards will turn to seed and start growing again when the temperatures suit.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Brassicaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
7 to 27°C / 45 to 80°F can withstand light frosts and hot temperatures for short periods.
SOIL TYPE:
Soil should be loose and well draining.
LOCATION:
Full sun, will tolerate some shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 60cms (24 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 45 cms (18 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Wind. Bees required to produce seed.
MATURITY:
Average 45 days to harvest, 6-9 months for seed.
GERMINATION RATES:
85-95%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-14 days at temperatures between 10-23°C / 50-75°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 250
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 4 years.
FACTS ABOUT BRASSICA JUNCEA (Broad Leaf Mustard)
For a milder taste, harvest the leaves when they are young as they get hotter with age.
Blending Mustard leaves with oil makes a mildly spicy mustard sauce.
Mustards are part of the same plant family as Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower and Kale.
Although often called Japanese Mustards, most mustards originate in China.
