FULL SUN – MUSTARD, Southern Giant Curled – Brassica juncea, native to eastern Asia, mustard greens have been a staple part of the Oriental diet for more than 2500 years. In the West they have not enjoyed that popularity even though they are an excellent salad green and stewing vegetable. Introduced in the 1740s, Southern Giant Curled is an old favorite, especially prized by Southerners. The 18-24 in. plants have brilliant green leaves with frilled edges. Flavor is mildly pungent. Plants are very cold tolerant. Southern Giant Curled can be sown in the early spring for a summer crop and in mid-summer for a fall-winter crop. In the spring, plant as soon as the ground can be worked. Soil should be deeply spaded before planting. Rows should be 18 in. apart. When seedlings are 2 in. high, thin, leaving 12 in. between plants. Adding lime to the soil before planting will sweeten the lettuce. Type Spacing Planting Depth Days to Germination Maturity Mustard 12 in. 1 in. 10-14 55
