Family: Brassicaceae
Binomial name: Brassica juncea var. japonica
Life Cycle: Annual
Mizuna can be grown year-round in most climates. Avoid planting in extremely hot or cold weather which can affect germination and growth. Use the table below to identify the best time of year to sow mizuna in your climate.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cool | ||||||||||||
Temperate | ||||||||||||
Sub-Tropical | ||||||||||||
Tropical | ||||||||||||
Arid |
Mizuna plants are best grown in full sun. Choose a location that will receive at least 6 hours of full sun each day.
Mizuna plants need a well drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. Prepare soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to loosen it and adding aged animal manure or compost. Keep the area free of weeds until planting.
Mizuna seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing.
Mizuna seeds can be sown directly into the garden OR seedlings can be raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established.
Mizuna is a cool season crop that will bolt in very hot weather. Do not transplant seedlings or sow seeds outside in very warm temperatures.
Tip: Mizuna seeds can also be sown in the less formal ‘scatter seed’ method. Simply roughen the soil, scatter seeds evenly over the surface, then smooth the soil over lightly to cover the seeds.
Mizuna plants may need watering during the growing season. Water when the soil is dry about 5cm below the surface (test this by scratching away a little soil with your finger). Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to avoid fungal diseases. Learn more about watering here.
If soil was well prepared no extra fertiliser should be necessary. In poor soil or to give your plants an extra boost, application of a high-nitrogen fertiliser or one formulated for leafy greens or herbs can be beneficial:
Mizuna should be ready to harvest in approximately 35-50 days.
Mizuna plants are ready to harvest when the leaves are large enough to eat. Harvest individual leaves by cutting or twisting the outer leaves just above soil level, leaving some for future growth. Alternatively, cut the entire plant just above soil level. Store mizuna leaves in a perforated plastic bag in the fridge.
Like all plants, mizuna is susceptible to some pests, diseases and other problems. Below is a list of the most common problems gardeners encounter when growing mizuna plants: