What Makes Mustard Seeds Sprout?

Uses

• Each variety of mustard has different uses. Countries outside of the United States process oriental and brown mustard into vegetable oil. Americans primarily consume it as a condiment or spice. Yellow mustard has several uses within the food industry. Processors make it into flour, as it is an excellent stabilizer for food. Dry yellow mustard flavors hundreds of foods, including sauces and salad dressings. American farmers devote 250,000 acres to growing mustard, according to .

Soil Conditions

• Mustard seeds prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH soil. Soil acidity must be above 6.0. Work a 5-10-10 fertilizer into the topsoil, going down about 3 inches. Add 10 to 15 lbs. for every 500 square feet, or a gardening plot that is approximately 22 feet by 23 feet. Mustard requires good drainage, as they have a low tolerance for standing water. Soil temperatures above 40 F are necessary for sprouting, with the ideal range between 55 F and 65 F, according to Utah State University Extension.

Planting Seed

• Plant the mustard seed from 1/8 inch to 1 1/2 inches deep, with an optimal depth of 1/2 inch, according to Colorado State University Extension. Leave 15 inches between rows. Sprouting takes between seven and 10 days. Plant mustard seed in a different field each year, using a four-year crop rotation plan. This will minimize the chance of disease, such as seed rot and stem rot.

Irrigation

• Mustard uses between 17 and 19 inches of water during its growing season. Seedlings require 1 inch per week while flower plants need 2 inches per week. The plant will drop flowers, resulting in a smaller crop, if it does not receive adequate water.