Mustard

Mustard is well known for its seeds that make up the essential sauce for any kitchen. But it is also a very useful green manure in the garden. Mustard belongs to the Brassicaceae family, and in Europe, white mustard (Sinapis alba) and black mustard (Brassica nigra) are the most popular. Brassica juncea, appreciated for its leaves, can also be grown and is very easy to cultivate.

The blond or brown seeds are sown directly in the ground, in the air or in pots and covered with a thin layer of soil that is packed against the seed. This green fertilizer is sown from March to August in the open ground or from February to March in boxes under cover.The soil must be enriched with compost but it is satisfied with poor soil that it will fertilize by providing nitrogen.

The plants are thinned out when they have four to five leaves, leaving only one every 40 cm. For the Brassica varieties, the flowers are removed to have more leaves. The leaves and seeds are harvested from May to November, about three months after sowing.