mustard 'Red Giant'
mustard or Brassica juncea 'Red Giant'
- approx 350 seeds
- £1.86 £2.19
- In stock (shipped within 2-3 working days)
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £2.99
- Position: full sun
- Soil: humus-rich, moisture retentive soil
- Rate of growth: fast
- Hardiness: borderline hardy (may need winter protection)
Peppery and packed with flavour, this easy-to-grow oriental salad leaf will lift your cooking to a whole new level. Use sparingly to add pizazz to lettuce leaf mixes, scatter on pizzas for some extra bite, or use in a spicy stir-fries.
Mustard 'Red Giant' is a good-looking plant, too, with large, red-tinged leaves intensifying to deep burgundy purple in cold weather. The flavour gets hotter and more mustardy as plants mature, so for a milder taste pick leaves young.
Mustard 'Red Giant' is a good-looking plant, too, with large, red-tinged leaves intensifying to deep burgundy purple in cold weather. The flavour gets hotter and more mustardy as plants mature, so for a milder taste pick leaves young.
Keep well watered to prevent the leaves from becoming tough or bitter, especially during warm, dry spells. Harvest the outer leaves regularly once they reach a usable size, allowing the centre to continue producing fresh growth. Alternatively, cut the whole plant back to a few centimetres above the soil to encourage regrowth for a second or even third harvest.
Remove any flower stems that appear early, as bolting shortens the cropping period. Protect young plants from flea beetle damage with fine mesh or fleece, and if growing in containers, feed occasionally with a balanced liquid fertiliser. In cooler months, cover with cloches or fleece to extend the harvest season.
Remove any flower stems that appear early, as bolting shortens the cropping period. Protect young plants from flea beetle damage with fine mesh or fleece, and if growing in containers, feed occasionally with a balanced liquid fertiliser. In cooler months, cover with cloches or fleece to extend the harvest season.
Sow sparingly in shallow drills in a sheltered spot in sun or light shade. Once seedlings appear, thin to 20cm (8in) apart if growing to full size: if harvesting as baby leaves plants can grow as close as 3cm (1in). Keep well watered and if you protect late sowings with cloches they'll keep growing throughout the winter.
