Chinese Mustard
Widely used in the United States and parts of North America and sometimes available in tins or cans, Chinese Mustard is not unlike the better known Chinese Cabbage, its loose, rather open habit of growth making it distinct. It is hardy and has the value of resisting hot, dry weather being available when many other forms of greens fail to grow well and are in short supply.
Growing about 60cm high, it has several common names including mustard greens, mustard spinach and tender greens, and it is sometimes used as a substitute for spinach.
Seed can be sown during spring and summer, making the rows 38cm apart and thinning the seedlings so there is about 15cm between them. In fairly rich, moist soil, growth is rapid and it is often possible to gather leaves within seven or eight weeks of sowing.
The plants must not be left unused however, or they will quickly run to seed. It is advisable to cut the entire plant at ground level rather than picking off individual leaves as is done with spinach. If the ground is on the poor side, it should be enriched before planting and when in growth, the plants can be encouraged to make more leaves by applying dried blood fertiliser.
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