Chinese Mustard Seeds - Shuidong
35 to 45 Days to maturity. Brassica juncea. Shuidong Chinese Mustard Seeds. Non-GMO, Heirloom, non-GMO, Cool Season Annual. Shuidong mustard is named after the town where it was first cultivated, Shuidong Town, in Guangdong Province China. The best thing about this mustard variety is the stalks! They are crisp but quite tender and mild, and not super-spicy like some varieties. This variety grows very quickly, maturing fully in about six weeks. These sweet leaves combine well with the stalks for a great stir-fry, especially with some added garlic. Approx 11,900 seeds / oz.
Chinese Mustard Seeds - Shuidong, Heirloom
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Other Common Names: Chinese Mustard, Shuidong Mustard, Oriental Mustard, and vegetable mustard.
How to Grow Shuidong Mustard
Start by planting your seeds about 1/4 inch deep, and about 6 inches apart. Thin the plants to 10 inches apart by harvesting the smaller plants if you are planning on growing them to full size and maturity. Keep the soil moist by watering weekly, more if necessary. If you are growing baby greens, keeping them at 6 inches apart is fine. For a continual harvest, plant a new row every two weeks or so, these grow quickly and will be fully grown in 6 weeks or less!.
Harvesting Shuidong Mustard
At full maturity, harvest the entire plant by cutting it at the base. The plant will mature by 35-45 days from when they first sprout. This variety of mustard is milder than many other varieties making it popularly used at maturity.
It’s also fine to grow for the baby greens, they definitely are sweeter! At about three weeks from sprouting, individual plants can also be harvested in the same way, by cutting them off at the base.
Culinary Tips
Shuidong mustard is sweet and delicious and is served and prepared in many ways. One nice idea is to dice the greens and stir fry them with a bit of ginger as part of a meat dish, like bacon or pork strips (or tofu)!
Stories From Our Gardeners
In my own garden I use companion plants to help safeguard against insect pests. This allows plants to naturally keep each other healthier. Growing chamomile helps me to protect other plants, including mustard plants, against whiteflies. Dill is another great option for companion planting. This is a great help against aphids because the dill is a favorite of ladybugs and will attract them to your surrounding plants as well. This tip was shared with me by my grandfather when I used to help him with his garden, and it has helped me immensely over the years!
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- David Wiley, True Leaf Market Writer |
Seeds Per Package:
- 3 g packet - Approximately 1,300 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 11,900 Seeds
- 4 lb - Approximately 47,600 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 190,400 Seeds
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Brassica juncea |
| Shuidong Mustard Color: | Crisp white to light green stems, darker green leaves |
| Shuidong Mustard Flavor: | Sweet and crisp stems and leaves, only mildly spicy |
Growing Info
| Days to Maturity: | 35 to 45 Days |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 Days |
| Seeding Depth: | 1/2 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 18 inches |
| Plant Height: | 24-36" at full maturity |
| Growth Habit: | Semi-enclosed head |
| Soil Preference: | Well drained, loamy and fertile soil, 6.0-7.5pH, keep soil moist especially during early growth. |
| Temperature Preference: | 45-85°F, can tolerate 40°F briefly or even an occasional light frost |
Other
| Plant Width: | 6" (thin to 10” for full-sized) |
| Pests and Disease: | Pests include aphids, flea beetles, and white flies. This variety is fairly disease resistant. |