Mizuna
Mizuna: 21-45 days to harvest, 4-7 days to germinate, 6-12 inches (closer for baby greens, wider for full-size) between plants, pH 6.0-7.0, hardy in zones 5-11. Fruit runs to about Individual leaves 3-8 inches long depending on harvest stage. Give it full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours) and high water. It will crop in a container.
Sowing
Direct seed every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. Sow ¼ inch deep. Can be grown year-round in mild climates, spring and fall in colder areas.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours)
- Water
- High — consistent moisture needed
- Soil
- Well-drained, fertile soil with good organic content
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Spacing
- 6-12 inches (closer for baby greens, wider for full-size)
- Height
- 3 feet
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Bright green with deeply cut, feathery foliage
- Size
- Individual leaves 3-8 inches long depending on harvest stage
- Shape
- Deeply serrated, feathery leaves forming loose rosettes
- Flavour
- Mild, slightly peppery with a fresh, clean taste - much milder than most mustard greens
In the kitchen
Excellent in salad mixes, stir-fries, soups, and as a garnish. Baby leaves perfect raw, mature leaves good cooked.
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Flea beetles, aphids, cabbage worms (less susceptible than other brassicas)
- Diseases
- Rarely affected due to quick growing cycle. Occasional downy mildew in humid conditions.
- Resistance
- Good bolt resistance in cool weather. Generally pest and disease resistant due to quick growth.
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | June – July | June – September |
| 2 | — | — | May – July | June – September |
| 3 | — | — | May – June | May – October |
| 4 | — | — | April – June | May – October |
| 5 | — | — | April – May | May – November |
| 6 | — | — | April – May | April – November |
| 7 | — | — | March – May | April – November |
| 8 | — | — | March – April | March – December |
| 9 | — | — | February – March | February – December |
| 10 | — | — | January – March | February – December |
| 11 | — | — | January – February | January – December |
| 12 | — | — | January – February | January – December |
| 13 | — | — | January – February | January – December |
Companion planting
16 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 6 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Protein (g)
- 0.742
- Fat (g)
- 0.0738
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 3.37
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 20.5
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.0401
- Calcium (mg)
- 14.2
- Iron (mg)
- 0.0332
- Magnesium (mg)
- 6.31
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 19.2
- Potassium (mg)
- 139
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.173
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Mizuna?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other brassicas with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Mizuna suits these too.
- Tokyo Bekana 21 days
- Osaka Purple Mustard 21 days
- Arugula 'Rocket' 20 days
- Charbell 28 days
- Ruby Red or Rhubarb Chard 32 days
- Quickstar 37 days