Mizuna

Mizuna, a Japanese mustard green, is a versatile and nutritious leafy vegetable with a mildly spicy flavor. It's rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making it a valuable addition to salads, stir-fries, and soups. Growing mizuna provides a fresh and healthy option for home gardeners.

Preparing for Growing:

• Selecting a planting location: Choose a location with partial shade to full sun, although it can tolerate some shade. Mizuna prefers cooler temperatures.
• Soil preparation: Prepare well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Incorporate compost or aged manure to improve soil fertility.
• Purchasing or preparing containers/pots: If growing in containers, choose pots with good drainage to prevent waterlogging.

Starting from Seeds Indoors:

• Seed preparation: No special preparation is required for mizuna seeds.
• Choosing suitable pots/containers: Use seedling trays or shallow containers filled with potting mix.
• Sowing and caring for seeds indoors: Sow mizuna seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Keep the soil consistently moist and provide adequate light, such as a sunny windowsill or under grow lights.
• Transplanting to larger containers if necessary: Once seedlings develop true leaves, transplant them into larger containers or outdoors if weather conditions permit.

Starting from Seeds Outdoors:

• Soil preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches and remove debris. Incorporate compost for added fertility.
• Selecting appropriate timing and method for outdoor sowing: Sow mizuna seeds directly outdoors in early spring or late summer. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows spaced 6-8 inches apart.
• Caring for seeds outdoors: Keep the soil consistently moist until seeds germinate, typically within 7-14 days.

Growing in Containers/Pots:

• Selecting suitable plants for containers: Mizuna is well-suited for container gardening.
• Container and soil preparation: Choose containers with good drainage and fill them with quality potting mix.
• Sowing or transplanting plants into containers: Sow seeds or transplant seedlings into containers, following spacing recommendations on the seed packet.
• Caring for container plants: Place containers in a location with partial shade to full sun and water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.

Transplanting to Garden:

• Soil and planting site preparation: Amend the soil with compost and ensure good drainage.
• Correct timing and method for transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors once they develop several true leaves, spacing them 6-8 inches apart.
• Post-transplant care: Water transplanted seedlings thoroughly and provide shade if needed to prevent wilting.

Plant Care:

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Water at the base of the plants to prevent fungal diseases.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer according to package instructions once seedlings establish themselves.
• Weeding: Keep the garden bed or containers free from weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture.
• Pest and disease management: Monitor plants regularly for signs of pests or diseases. Handpick pests like aphids and caterpillars, and treat fungal diseases with appropriate fungicides if necessary.

Harvesting:

• Determining when plants are ready for harvest: Harvest mizuna leaves when they reach the desired size, usually around 30-40 days after planting. Harvest individual leaves as needed or cut the entire plant back to 1 inch above the soil.
• Harvesting and storage guidelines: Harvest mizuna in the morning when leaves are crisp. Store harvested leaves in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels for up to one week.

When to Start from Seeds by USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:

• Mizuna seeds can be started indoors or sown directly outdoors based on your USDA plant hardiness zone. In colder climates (zones 1-6), start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. In warmer climates (zones 7-11), sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring or late summer for a fall crop.

Fast Facts:

• Planting depth: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in the soil.
• Seed spacing: Plant seeds 1 inch apart in rows spaced 6-8 inches apart.
• Plant spacing: Space transplanted seedlings 6-8 inches apart.
• Number of seeds per pot/container: Plant 2-3 seeds per pot or container and thin to the strongest seedling.
• Water preferences: Keep soil consistently moist, watering at the base of the plants.
• Sun preferences: Partial shade to full sun, with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
• Soil type and other important factors: Well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Incorporate compost for added fertility.
• Companion Planting: Mizuna grows well with other cool-season crops like spinach, lettuce, and radishes.
• Temperature Preference: Mizuna prefers cooler temperatures between 45°F and 75°F.
• Days to Germination: Mizuna seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days under optimal conditions.
• Days to Harvest: Harvest mizuna leaves in 30-40 days from planting, or when leaves reach the desired size.