Mustard Greens

Frank J. Dainello,
Extension Horticulturist
Department of
Horticultural Sciences,
Texas A&M University

 

VARIETIES
Green Wave, Tendergreen, Southern Giant Curl, Florida Broadleaf

SOIL PREFERENCE
Deep, friable, sandy loam with pH 5.5 - 7.5; will tolerate wide range of soil types with proper management. Avoid excessively heavy soils that can cause root malformation.

OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS
Cool season crop with tolerance to frost and light freezes. Temperature above 75oF for prolonged periods can slow growth and reduce quality.

ESTABLISHMENT METHODS
Direct seeded
Optimum time=
Spring- seed zone temperature >40oF;
Fall- seed zone temperature <105oF.
Seeding rate lbs/A= 3 - 4.
Approx seed/oz= 15,000
Seeding depth= 1/4 - 1/2"
Seedling spacing= Double plant rows on 38 - 40" raised beds with 4 - 6" in-row spacing.

FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION
Rates presented as actual lbs/Acre N, P2O5 and K2O (base actual rates on soil test results).
Generalized rate lbs/A: 50 - 70- 100
N- 35 - 80; 25 - 40 lbs pre-plant + 10 - 40 lbs side-dressed 25 days after planting.
P- 50 - 120; banded 2" below seed at planting.
K- 70 - 120; applied pre-planted with the nitrogen; normally only required in east Texas.

WATER/IRRIGATION
10 - 15" uniformly available throughout growing season.

PEST MANAGEMENT
Major Diseases Control
Leaf spot Top Cop
Downy mildew  

Major Insects Control
Aphid Diazinon, Dimethoate
Flea beetle Sevin
Worms Sevin, Thiodan, Lannate, Ambush
Diamondback moth Diazinon, Thiodan, Lannate, Ambush
Mite Sevin, Sulfur, Thirethrin

Weeds Control
Pre-emergence Dacthal, paraquat
Pre-plant incorporated Treflan
Post-emergence Poast
* NOTE--The above is a partial listing of controls intended as examples. Some labels may have been revoked since the publication of this guide. Refer to product labels for specifics and use accordingly. Failure to do so may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the environment may also be adversely affected by misuse.

HARVEST
Hand or machine
Days after planting= 40 - 60
Containers= Bushel baskets/bulk
Grades= U.S. #1 and U.S. #2 depending upon defects and uniformity.
Packaging/Handling= Bunched, 23 - 24lb crtn holding 24, 1 lb film bags; 30 - 35 lb bu/crt/crtn with 12 - 24 bunches (processing-bulked sold by ton).
Anticipated yield=  
Fresh Market
 450 crtns
Processing
 7 - 8 tons

TRANSIT/CONDITIONS
32oF at 90 - 95% RH; shelf-life 3 weeks.

COMMENTS/PRODUCTION KEYS
  • Temperature near freezing 3 - 4 weeks prior to harvest increases quality.
  • Temperature above 75oF during the above time frame decreases yield and quality.
  • Refrigerate harvested leaves as soon as possible to prevent loss of quality; place under high humidity conditions (particularly important to prevent shriveling).
Texas Cooperative Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series
Revised November, 2003
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/lettuce.html
Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger