News Article for September 14, 2009, from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe:
Mustard greens are a fall favorite of gardeners. They are easy to grow and can be ready to harvest in just 35-50 days after planting.
You can grow mustard greens most of the year, except in the extremely hot months. By far the most popular time to grow them is in the fall as it begins to cool down. There is something to be said for mustard greens, cornbread, pork chops and sweet potatoes. They just go together.
There are several varieties to choose from, but the most popular is still Florida Broadleaf. Other recommended varieties would include Tendergreen, Savannah and two curly leaf varieties, which are Southern Giant Curl and Green Wave.
As you may remember from your Bible stories, mustard seed are very small. Many people have a hard time distributing the small seeds. Planting too deep is a another problem. You should only lightly cover the mustard seed to a recommended planting depth of ⅛ inch.
Only ⅛ of an ounce of seed is needed to plant a 100-foot row. Some people find it beneficial to mix the seeds with sand to make them easier to spread evenly. The seeds can be planted in a drill or broadcast.
A common mistake many people make with mustard greens is not thinning. They will plant the seeds too close together and then when all the plants come up, they do not have the heart to pull up the perfectly healthy plants. That is a mistake. The plants need room to grow and space for air flow -- to cut down on disease and insect problems. Thin to a spacing of 2-3 inches between plants.
Aphids are a common insect problem of mustard greens. You may also know aphids as plant lice. The aphids will get on the underside of the leaves and suck the plant juices which will stunt the plants. Aphids are soft-bodied insects that use a piercing mouth piece to extract plant nutrients. They can be clear or green and are about the size of a pencil lead.
Once the leaves get large and start to fold over it is impossible to get the aphids out. You will need to start early by scouting and turning the leaves over and looking for aphids. At the first sign, spray with Malathion. But be sure to discontinue its use at least seven days prior to harvest.
There are also some small beetles that will eat the whorl of the plant, and the result is a lot of holes in all the leaves that emerge later. When you see the damage you cannot find the culprit because it has already gone. I like to spray the mustard with Malathion about a week after they come up to help prevent this problem.
For a continuous supply of mustard through the winter, plant every 14-21 days.
For more information on these or related topics, contact Kenny at 225-686-3020.