PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

Sowing: Since mustard greens thrive in cool weather, they taste best when grown as an early spring or fall crop. For a spring crop, direct sow the Southern Giant curled mustard seeds in full sun and rich soil about four weeks before the last expected spring frost, and lightly rake them into the soil. Keep the rows 10-12" apart. When the seedlings emerge, thin them to 5-6" apart. For a continual harvest, plant more mustard every 10-14 days. For fall planting, plant the Southern Giant curled mustard seeds in late summer or early fall about 10 weeks before the first hard frost. Climates with warmer winters may be able to grow mustard from fall to spring.

Growing: Keep the plants moist and free from weeds. A thick layer of mulch will help conserve moisture, control weeds, and keep the greens free from dirt.

Harvesting: For baby greens, pick the leaves when they reach a height of 4-5 inches; baby greens are tender and flavorful, perfect for salads. The entire plant can be harvested at any point, or individual leaves taken for a continuous harvest. Mature leaves, which tend to be stronger in flavor, often taste best when cooked. Avoid using leaves that have begun to turn yellow, as these have passed their prime. Once cut, greens keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They also freeze well when blanched.