Mustard spinach
Biennial growing to 0.5m by 0.5m at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. We rate it 3 out of 5 for usefulness.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Cultivation
Succeeds in full sun in a moisture-retentive well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[200, 206]. Prefers a cool moist reasonably fertile soil[52]. The plant is somewhat deeper rooted than many of the oriental brassicas and is more tolerant of drought, though it grows best if it is not short of water[206].
Mustard spinach is widely cultivated in the Orient for its edible leaves, there are many named varieties[206]. It takes 55 - 80 days for plants to reach maturity from sowing[206]. This is a very hardy plant, although knocked back, it has withstood temperatures down to about -14°c and can be cropped for most of the year[206]. It is much less likely to bolt from a spring sowing and is fairly resistant to summer heat[206].
Propagation
Seed - sow in situ April to September[206]. Some varieties can also be sown in a cold greenhouse in late autumn, winter or early spring to provide leaves overwinter and in late spring.
External links
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Brassica+rapa+perviridis
