Komatsuna Riokai - Ferme de Sainte Marthe untreated seeds

Komatsuna Riokai, also known as spinach mustard, is a leaf vegetable that is widely used in Japanese and Korean cuisine. The 20-30 cm high plants form fairly thick, dark green stems and leaves that have a mildly spicy flavour. Delicious eaten raw as salads greens, cooked like spinach or added to soups. This variety is particularly rich in calcium. Direct sow from March to September and harvest from June to October.

Komatsuna is a biennial plant, grown as an annual. It is remarkably healthy thanks to its high vitamin A, K and C content. It is also a good source of fibre and minerals such as calcium and potassium.

Komatsuna is very easy to grow, being both vigorous and cold-resistant. Ideal for winter crops! It requires full sun with rich, deep, well-drained soil and regular watering.

Harvest: Harvest the leaves as and when required by cutting them off at ground level. If the plant is well established, it will continue putting out new leaves for several months.

Storage: Komatsuna will keep for several days in the refrigerator.

Good to know: Mulching with grass clippings or dead leaves will help keep the soil moist whilst limiting weed growth.

Even if the vegetable garden is first and foremost a place for growing great quality veg, it’s always a good idea to leave a bit of room for flowers. Growing flowers alongside your vegetable plants will make your general gardening experience more enjoyable and is a great way to attract pollinators and repel garden pests! Flowers such as gaillardia, marigolds, zinnias, cosmos or nasturtiums can be sown in and around the rows of vegetables. Herbs such as dill can be very useful also. Bear in mind that some companion plants self-seed easily and can be a bit invasive (borage, chives, lemon balm etc.)

NB. Untreated seeds are produced from conventionally grown plants (that are often treated with phytosanitary products); however they do not undergo any post-harvest treatment. These seeds are approved for organic market gardening when organic seeds are not available.