A popular leafy vegetable from Asia, mizuna greens are used worldwide. Like many Asian greens, mizuna greens are related to the more familiar mustard greens and can be incorporated into many western dishes. Keep reading for more information on growing mizuna greens.
Mizuna Greens Information
Mizuna greens have been cultivated in Japan for centuries. They are likely originally from China, but throughout Asia they are considered a Japanese vegetable. The name mizuna is Japanese and translates as juicy or watery vegetable. The plant has deeply jagged, branched dandelion-like leaves, making it ideal for cut and grow again harvesting. There are two main varieties of mizuna: Mizuna Early and Mizuna Purple.
- Mizuna Early is tolerant to both heat and cold and slow to go to seed, making it an ideal green for continuous summer harvest.
- Mizuna Purple is best picked when its leaves are small, after only a month of growth.
In Asia, mizuna is often pickled. In the west, it is much more popular as a salad green with its mild, yet peppery, taste. It also works well in stir-fries and soups.
How to Grow Mizuna Greens in the Garden
Care for mizuna greens is similar to that for other Asian mustard-like greens. Even Mizuna Early will bolt eventually, so for the most prolonged harvest, sow your seeds 6 to 12 weeks before the first frost of autumn or in late spring. Plant your seeds in moist but well-drained soil. Before planting, loosen the soil to at least 12 inches (31 cm.) deep and mix in some manure. Plant the seeds 2 inches (5 cm.) apart, ¼ inch (6 mm.) deep, and water well. After the seeds have germinated (this should take only a few days), thin the plants to 14 inches (36 cm.) apart. That’s basically it. Ongoing care is not much different from that of other greens in the garden. Water and harvest your greens as needed.
-
Clever Vertical Vegetable Garden Ideas For Small Spaces – 7 Ways To Save SpaceShort on garden space? Learn some vegetable garden ideas for small spaces that are fun and easy.
-
26 Different Types Of Orchids – With Pictures & InformationDiscover stunning orchid types to grow in your home and garden – from easy beginner varieties to rare and exotic species that are the preserve of experts.
-
Substitutes For Lettuce – Growing Alternative Salad GreensAlternatives to lettuce are generally higher in nutrients and more flavorful. Click here for some ideas on what to use as substitutes for your lettuce.
-
Mibuna Mustard Greens: How To Grow Mibuna GreensMibuna mustard is a highly nutritious Asian green with a mild, mustardy flavor. Wondering how to grow mibuna greens? Click here.
-
Autumn Crop Greens – When To Plant Greens In The FallYou can easily grow greens in fall. Many leafy salad greens are cool season crops that prefer the autumn temperatures. Click here for more.
-
How To Harvest Leafy Greens – Picking Leafy Greens In The GardenAll leafy greens are easy to grow, rich in nutrients (although some more than others) and some can be eaten both fresh and cooked. Harvesting leafy greens is a simple matter as well. Click here if you’re interested in learning how and when to harvest garden greens.
-
Growing A Salad Bowl Garden: Learn How To Grow Greens In A PotGrowing greens in containers allows you to select the types of greens you favor rather than settling for one of those supermarket mixes. They're also less expensive. A salad bowl garden is really a win/win. Click this article to find out how to grow greens in a pot.
-
Winter Salad Greens: Tips On Growing Greens In WinterIf you get cold winters, you're not going to be picking tomatoes in February. You may, however, be picking any leafy greens you like. If you're growing in the winter, salad greens are the way to go. Learn how to grow greens over winter here.
-
Komatsuna Plant Care: Tips On Growing Komatsuna GreensI dare say most of us have never heard of growing komatsuna greens; I hadn't. When I read about them, I began to wonder what does komatsuna taste like and how do you grow it. Read on to discover a wealth of interesting komatsuna facts.
-
Leafy Garden Greens: Different Types Of Garden GreensWhat are greens? Leafy garden greens are more than lettuce. The types of garden greens range from the tops of edible roots to ornamental plants. Growing greens is easy, and this article will help.
