Mustard is a plant that contains many properties and benefits. In addition, it is quite simple to grow, in fact, you can do it at home, in a pot. First of all, you should select the variety that you like the most.
Keep in mind, that the mustard plant can exceed one meter in height. In addition, yellow flowers grow from them that is very beautiful to look at and above all rich.
- Scientific name: Sinapis alba
- Family: Brassicaceae
- Origin: 5,500 BC in Afghanistan
- Climate: cold, but not frost
- Cultivation difficulty: easy
Step by step to sow the mustard
To start, mustard seeds are necessary. You can sow them in a germination tray or simply in a container that you have in your home. When the seedlings measure approximately 10-15 cm, you should transplant them to the place you have selected, it can be a pot or in your garden.
Important points to keep in mind:
- The soil should contain compost, be moist, and be well-drained.
- Place the seedlings at a distance of 20 cm. The rows should be 30 cm from each other.
- Irrigation: as soon as you make the transfer it has to receive a spaced irrigation, but with care.
Mustard cultivation in Argentina
In Argentina, the main area where mustard is grown is in the southeast of the province of Buenos Aires. Anyway, it is not in great quantity, since for the development of the same, not much technology is applied.
The seed that is sown in the country is imported as “grain for consumption”, which is why production does not meet what the industry requires. Likewise, this crop is an alternative used by the owners of the fields to rotate with second-rate soybeans.
How to harvest the mustard plant?
The ideal is to do it after 50 and 60 days of having sown it. You can also guide yourself with the height of the plant, which should at least measure between 30 and 40 cm. A tip? Start by harvesting the leaves that are at the bottom, in this way you will help the plant to continue developing.
After a few days, you will see that the plant continued to grow, so it is time to harvest the top. In the event that you have selected the Chinese wide-leaf variety, you will have to cut the leaves well below, since their height cannot be greater than 70 cm because the flavor becomes very strong.
As for the seeds, it is necessary to wait for the pods to be dry. This happens after the flowers fall. Remember to place them in a container, since when you break them all the seeds will fall.
Care and tips for growing the mustard plant
Next, we will mention the care and some tips that you have to take into account so that your mustard plants grow perfectly:
- Fertile soil, with a lot of organic matter.
- The pH of the soil is advisable to be between 5.5 to 6.8.
- The temperature of the place should not be lower than 10 degrees. In that case, it is important to place a half shade, which will protect it from frost and also from direct sun.
- Irrigation: it is ideal that it is in the morning and that it is at the base of the plants. The soil must remain moist. If you prefer your mustard to be spicier, water a little less.
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