Brassica Alba Plants

Growing Requirements

• Brassica alba grows well in sandy, loamy or light clay soils. Heavy, wet clay provides a less suitable growing environment. Amend heavy soil by working sand or organic matter into the area until it feels light and crumbly. Brassica alba thrives in a soil pH range between 4.5 to 8.2, according to Purdue University. This crop requires full sun. Prepare the garden plot in the fall for early spring planting.

Planting

• Plant Brassica alba outdoors between early spring and mid-summer. When growing for mustard greens in salads, sow a batch of seeds every two to three weeks for continued harvest through late spring and summer. Sow the seeds in a prepared garden bed and cover with 1/8 inch of soil. Brassica alba seeds grow 1 to 2 inches tall in four to six days. To grow mustard greens indoors or in a greenhouse, sow the seeds in a seed flat filled with damp seed-starting mix and keep between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Salad Greens

• Harvest brassica alba as salad greens throughout the season. The tender shoots provide a spicy addition to dishes. Wait until the young seedlings grow 1 to 3 inches tall and then cut the mustard greens with a knife or a pair of shears or pull the plants from the soil. Harvest continuously as needed. Like most foods, mustard greens taste best fresh. Store any extra in the refrigerator.

Mustard Seeds

• Mustard seeds, harvested from Brassica alba varieties, add spicy flavor to sauces and other savory dishes. Allow the plants to flower and go to seed. Wait until the seeds harden and begin to dry on the plant. Remove the seed head from the plant and shake the seeds into a bag or bucket. Grind brassica alba seeds into a powder to use in the kitchen. Brassica alba seeds, ground and combined with cold water, make mustard.