Mizuna is a cool-weather-loving crop and is very cold hardy. Direct sow seeds outdoors anytime March 27th - Sept. 1st. Sow seeds ¼” deep. Days to germination: 4 - 8. For baby greens, broadcast sow seeds 60 seeds per sq. ft., or sow seeds 1” apart in rows 3” apart. For mature plants, sow in rows 12” apart. Sow monthly for a constant supply. Unlike other greens, Mizuna grows fast so you can sow it as late as Sept. 1st in a coldframe/low tunnel for fall production or in a hoophouse Oct. 1st for winter production. Cover hoophouse mizuna when temperatures go below 15°. Mizuna is resistant to downy mildew. Cover plants with row cover fabric to protect from flea beetles if necessary.
Baby greens: cut entire plant when 3 - 6” tall for cut-and-come-again baby greens (cut plant with scissors 1 - 2" above soil level so you don’t damage the growing crown.) Return for several harvests. Harvest mature leaves individually as desired. Eventually the plants will begin to “bolt” (flower) and make seed. (See Seed Saving Instructions.)
Mizuna (Brassica rapa) is insect pollinated and will cross with other flowering Brassica rapa species such as Pac choi and Chinese cabbage. Isolation distance: ½ mile. Min. pop. size: 25 - 50. Collect seeds from the best plants once pods have turned from green to tan but before seeds have been released. Clean seed as a dry-seeded crop.
