Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.
Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.
Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.
| Planting Depth: | 1/4 inch |
| Within-Row Spacing: | 10 inches |
| Between-Row Spacing: | 12-18 inches |
Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.
Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.
Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.
Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.
Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.
Tatsoi Mustard Greens can be harvested at any stage. For tender, baby leaves, harvest when they are about 4-5 inches long, around 3 weeks after planting, perfect for fresh salads and garnishes. If you prefer mature, more robust leaves, allow the plant to grow for 6-7 weeks until the rosette is fully formed, with leaves reaching up to 10 inches long, ideal for stir-fries, soups, and steaming. Snipping the outer leaves allows the inner growth to continue. Alternatively, for a full harvest, cut the entire rosette at the base, just above the soil.