Mustard Seeds - Tendergreen

Tendergreen Mustard is a popular variety of mustard greens known for its tender, mild leaves and rapid growth. This variety is perfect for gardeners looking to add a flavorful, nutrient-dense green to their vegetable garden. It’s an excellent choice for early spring or fall planting, thriving in cool weather and producing high-quality leaves quickly.

Key Benefits

• Tender Leaves: The leaves of Tendergreen mustard are known for their tenderness and mild flavor, making them suitable for both salads and cooking.
• Fast Growth: Tendergreen mustard grows quickly, often ready to harvest in as little as 30-40 days.
• Nutrient-Rich: Mustard greens are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium, making them a healthy addition to any meal.
• Cold-Hardy: This variety is well-suited to cool-weather growing and can be planted in both spring and fall.

Variety Features

• Appearance: Tendergreen mustard has broad, slightly curled green leaves that are tender and mild in flavor.
• Flavor: Mild and slightly sweet, making it suitable for both fresh consumption and cooking.
• Maturity: Reaches maturity in 30-40 days, allowing for quick harvesting of fresh greens.
• Size: The plants typically reach 12-18 inches tall with broad leaves.

Planting Instructions

Best Planting Season

• Spring/Fall: Tendergreen mustard thrives in cool temperatures and is best planted in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. It can tolerate light frost, making it an excellent cool-season crop.

Planting Details

• Sowing Depth: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep.
• Spacing: Space the seeds 1 inch apart in rows, with 12 inches between rows. Thin seedlings to about 6 inches apart when they are large enough to handle.
• Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0). Amend the soil with compost to improve fertility.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mustard greens need regular watering, especially during dry periods, but they dislike standing water. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

Light

• Tendergreen mustard prefers full sun but can tolerate some light shade, especially in warmer climates. In hot summers, some afternoon shade will help prevent bolting.

Temperature

• Grows best in cooler temperatures between 50°F and 70°F (10°C-21°C). It is a cold-hardy variety and can withstand light frost, making it ideal for early spring or fall plantings.

Harvesting

When to Harvest

• Start harvesting Tendergreen mustard leaves when the plants are about 6-8 inches tall. The leaves can be harvested at any stage, but they are most tender and flavorful when they are young.

How to Harvest

• Harvest outer leaves first to allow the inner leaves to continue growing. Cut leaves with garden shears or scissors, leaving the central growing point intact to encourage new growth.

Storage

• Short-Term: Store fresh mustard greens in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
• Long-Term: Mustard greens can be blanched and frozen for long-term storage. Blanching preserves both the flavor and nutritional content.

Culinary Uses

• Salads: Tendergreen mustard leaves are mild enough to be used fresh in salads, adding a nutritional boost to any dish.
• Cooking: Use in soups, stews, stir-fries, and sautéed dishes. The mild flavor pairs well with a variety of ingredients.
• Pickled Mustard Greens: In some cultures, mustard greens are pickled and preserved for later use.
• Smoothies: Add a handful of mustard greens to smoothies for an added vitamin boost.

Conclusion

Tendergreen Mustard is a fast-growing, cold-hardy variety that provides tender, mild-flavored leaves suitable for both fresh and cooked dishes. With its rapid growth, this mustard variety is perfect for gardeners who want a quick harvest of healthy greens. Whether you use it in salads, stir-fries, or soups, Tendergreen mustard is a versatile, nutritious addition to your garden that will thrive in cooler weather and offer quick returns.