Mizuna seeds

It is also known as “water leaf” which is nothing more than its literal translation of its original name Xiu Cai. It is a winter crop, which does quite well until spring without flowering. With leaves similar to arugula or dandelion , it has a very characteristic shape. In its green variety it is well graded while in the red it is much finer. We have called the purple ones the garden hippies since they are disheveled. They are tremendously decorative as well as delicious and healthy.

Its flavor is difficult to describe. There are people who say that it reminds them of the flavor of radish or mustard . It has a light spicy and wild touch that may shock you at first, but as soon as you find the point, you begin to adore it.

Usually the smaller and therefore more tender leaves are used raw as part of your salad. On the contrary, although they can also be used in salads, the larger leaves can be cooked in stir-fries or to marinate some types of sauces.

The plant reaches a height of 35 to 40 cm at maturity. It is very resistant to cold, so its cultivation in winter is extensive in Japan where it has been cultivated for centuries as a food and decorative plant.

SOWING

Sow the seeds in late spring.
Sow the seeds in moist, well-draining soil.
Loosen the soil about 30 cm deep and mix with worm fertilizer (10%) or compost.
Sow each seed 5cm apart, 6mm deep, and water well after planting.
The seeds should germinate within a few days, after which transplant them 35cm apart.
Water once a week, making sure to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.

Crop

The plant has a long growing season, is resistant to cold and can be grown intercropped with sweet corn. It can be used as a seasonal planting plant or as a regular harvest. In its regular harvest , the leaves are cut when they reach approximately 22 cm in height, leaving the new shoots on the plant to have a continuous source of fresh leaves.

The plant grows optimally in slightly acidic (minimum pH 5.4) well-drained soils that are capable of retaining moisture. Like all plants in the Brassicaceae family, mizuna has a high nitrogen requirement and requires firm soil.

Instructions inside the packaging