Stages of a Mustard Plant

Seedlings

• Mustard plant seeds are planted in early spring after the last frost. The seeds are sown 1 inch deep and approximately 3 to 5 inches apart in well-drained, loamy soil. Seedlings usually germinate in soils that are 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Sprouting

• The mustard plant seedlings quickly emerge and sprout four to five weeks after planting. The roots grow about 5 feet below the soil to store water and provide moisture to the plant. During this time, the mustard plant continues to rapidly grow with the help of fertilizers and herbicides, which control noxious weeds, such as Canada thistle, field bindweed and quackgrass.

Flowering

• Mustard flower buds emerge five weeks after sprouting and full yellow blooms appear in seven to 10 days. About half the flowers produce reddish-brown seeds, which are contained in pods that are less than 1 inch in length. With the daily application of water, mustard plants bloom for longer periods, increasing crop yields.

Harvesting

• The mature mustard is harvested by picking the tender pods and leaves off the plant or cutting the plant beneath the lowest pods. The leaves may be eaten raw or stored in the refrigerator in plastic bags. Mustard seeds are removed from the pods by hand and dried.