Mustard Red Giant - Ferme de Sainte Marthe Seeds

'Red Giant' Chinese Mustard is a popular, fast-growing variety that forms 15-25 cm high plants with large, wavy, red-purple leaves. Excellent, spicy flavour that gets stronger with age. Sow in March-April and September-October. Harvest 2 months later.

Mustard is a fast-growing annual plant that is mainly grown as a green manure or fodder crop, although its seeds can also be used as a condiment. It produces masses of dense leaves on 50 to 80 cm high plants. Sow from March to September.

Oriental Mustard, also known as brown mustard or Chinese mustard (Brassica juncea), is a leaf vegetable that is native to southern and eastern Asia where it has been cultivated for hundreds of years. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family. Its leaves have a strong, spicy taste and are commonly used in Asian cuisine. They can also be cooked like spinach leaves, tossed in butter or cream or eaten raw in salads.

Oriental mustard greens are easy to grow, being both vigorous and cold-resistant. Ideal for winter crops! Mustard requires deep, rich soil, regular watering and plenty of sun.

Harvest: Harvest the leaves as and when required.

Storage: Mustard leaves will keep for several days in the refrigerator, however they are best eaten fresh.

Good to know: Avoid growing mustard before a crop of Brassicas such as cabbages. Mulching with grass clippings or dead leaves will help keep the soil moist whilst limiting weed growth. Cover your crops with fine insect netting or row covers to protect them against flea beetles.

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. Organic seeds (in French "AB" for "Agriculture Biologique") are produced from plants that aren't treated with phytosanitary products (insecticides, weed killers). The seeds do not undergo post-harvest treatment. They carry the AB label and are approved by Ecocert, an independent structure.