Do you love mustard? If so, you will absolutely adore mustard microgreens. Although mustard microgreens do not look like mustard sauce, mustard microgreens have the same sweet, hot taste. Micro mustard is one of the most flavorful microgreens on the market.
Mustard microgreens are filled with nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. They are also filled with a number of minerals, including calcium and potassium. Finally, mustard microgreens are loaded with fiber for improved digestive health.
Mustard microgreens do not have the bright yellow color that you are accustomed to seeing. These microgreens have white stems and pale green cotyledons. However, there are other varieties available that feature red/burgundy leaves.
Our mustard microgreen profile provides you with the information you need at your fingertips. The easy-to-read table allows you to quickly find the information most microgreen gardeners need.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Mustard microgreens have a spicy, hot mustard flavor. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | Presoaking is not required. |
| Color | The color of mustard microgreens varies; however, they typically have white stems and pale green cotyledons. |
| Germination Time | Mustard microgreens germinate in 2 to 3 days. |
| Harvest Time | You can expect to be able to harvest your mustard microgreens in 5 to 14 days. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 1 – Mustard microgreens are one of the easiest microgreens to grow. |
Mustard microgreens are a wonderful choice for beginner gardeners. We have gathered the most frequently asked questions, a list of supplies you will need, and detailed growing, harvesting, and storage instructions to help you succeed.
Whether you are new to microgreen gardening or have been doing it for a while, you may have some questions. Our frequently asked questions will address the most commonly asked questions about growing and harvesting mustard microgreens.
No – mustard microgreens will not regrow after harvesting. Although some may regrow the quality will be greatly diminished. Once you have harvested your micro mustard, compost the growing medium and roots.
Mustard microgreens taste very similar to the condiment, mustard. Some varieties have may have undertones of horseradish.
Mustard microgreens are filled with fiber and nutrients. The green leafy micro vegetables have been shown to improve skin and hair. Furthermore, mustard microgreens can help regulate glucose levels, making them an excellent choice for diabetics.
Microgreens are extremely fast-growing. You can expect to reap a harvest in as little as one week.
Mustard microgreens are extremely easy to grow and require only a few pieces of equipment. The technique described below helps ensure the most productive crop of mustard microgreens. This method uses a growing medium like coconut coir and grow trays.
A starter kit like the Deluxe Starter Kit offered at True Leaf Market provides you with everything you need to get started, including a sample of soil, a variety of seeds, growing trays, and a misting bottle.
Because the equipment used to grow microgreens is so common, you may have several of the items lying around your house. Here is a list of equipment that is needed to grow mustard microgreens, including some optional pieces of equipment that can help improve your harvest.
As we have already explained, we prefer using coconut coir as our growing medium. This growing medium is made from the husks of coconuts, making it an environmentally friendly growing medium. Another option is using a seed starting soil.
Coconut coir has the ability to retain moisture without increasing the risk of developing soilborne diseases like root rot, mold, and powdery mildew.
Many gardeners like using a seed starting soil due to its fine grain and extra nutrients. Although this type of soil would work for mustard microgreens, it is unnecessary. Microgreen seeds contain everything they need to grow; therefore, the extra nutrients in seed starting soil are unnecessary.
You will need a total of three growing trays for mustard microgreens. One tray will need to have drainage holes, the other two will not. Each tray will be used to perform a different function during the germination and growth process. We recommend using 10 by 20-inch growing trays.
The growing tray with drainage holes will be used to house your growing medium and seeds. The drainage holes allow you to water your mustard microgreens from the bottom upward. In addition to this, the drainage holes prevent water from pooling, which can lead to mold, mildew, and root rot.
The two growing trays without drainage holes will be used for two distinct processes. One tray will be used to hold the water when bottom watering. The other one will function as a blackout and humidity dome during the germination process.
A misting bottle allows you to gently water your mustard microgreens without disturbing the seed disbursal or the delicate roots of your microgreens.
A full spectrum LED grow light will provide your mustard microgreens with the light they need to grow properly. The grow light will be suspended directly above your mustard microgreen growing tray. Although this is considered an optional piece of equipment, we recommend purchasing full spectrum LED grow lights for your microgreens.
A heating mat allows you to maintain a consistent soil temperature throughout the germination process. Consistent soil temperatures improve the germination rate of your mustard microgreen seeds. This is another piece of optional equipment that we recommend purchasing as it helps maintain soil temperatures for better germination.
A planting rack is a great piece of equipment for those who do not have a lot of extra room in their home for growing microgreens. Planting racks allow you to use the vertical space in your home, thus minimizing the growing space requirements. With a planting rack, you can place your microgreens in an unused corner of your home.
Because microgreens are planted so closely together, there may not be an ample amount of air circulation between the plants. When microgreens do not get enough airflow, the risk of a soilborne disease increases. A circulation fan increases the airflow around your microgreens, thus reducing the risk of mold and other soilborne diseases.
There are many different mustard microgreen seed options available. When choosing microgreen seeds, you want a company that provides you with the healthiest microgreen seeds on the market. We recommend using True Leaf Market for all of your microgreen seeds. Here are the top mustard microgreen seeds available.
Yellow mustard microgreen seeds are non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds that are ready for harvest in as little as 7 to 10 days. This mild-flavored mustard microgreen has a pungent brassica flavor.
Green mustard microgreen seeds are non-GMO with a pale green, spicy mustard flavor. These microgreens are ready for harvest in as little as 8 to 12 days.
Greenwave mustard microgreen seeds are an AAS winner and non-GMO mustard microgreen that features a classic mustard flavor. With its quick germination, you will be enjoying mustard microgreens within just a few days.
Mibuna mustard microgreen seeds are open-pollinated, non-GMO seeds. This microgreen is a flavor Japanese green strap leaf mustard microgreen with a delightful, mild mustard flavor.
Tatsoi mustard microgreen seeds are heirloom, non-GMO seeds that are easy to grow. This microgreen has a mild, pleasant flavor that pairs beautifully with other microgreens.
Mizuna mustard microgreen seeds are heirloom, non-GMO seeds that are fast-growing and ready for harvest within 12 days. The very mild mustard flavor is not overpowering and is a perfect addition to your microgreen salad.
Red Giant mustard microgreen seeds are heirloom, non-GMO microgreen seeds that are ready for harvest in as little as 8 to 12 days. This microgreen features green leaves with purple highlights and a pungent spicy mustard flavor.
Osaka Purple mustard microgreen seeds are non-GMO, heirloom seeds that are ready for harvest in 12 days. The mild mustard flavor has delicious undertones, making it a great microgreen for sandwiches.
Tokyo Bekana mustard microgreen seeds are non-GMO and ready for harvest in as little as 6 days. The mild, fresh flavor and crisp texture of this mustard microgreen are great in salads or on sandwiches.
Red Garnet mustard microgreen seeds are heirloom, non-GMO microgreens with deep red highlights and rounded leaves. The spicy flavor of these microgreens is delightful and pairs great with other microgreens.
Mizuna Lime Streaks mustard microgreen seeds are ready for harvest in 8 to 12 days. The yellow stems and green cotyledons along with the classic mustard flavor make this microgreen a perfect choice for sandwiches.
Southern Giant Curled mustard microgreen seeds are non-GMO, heirloom mustard greens that have a stronger mustard flavor than other mustard greens. Ready in 7 to 10 days, this mustard microgreen is great as a garnish or on salads.
Mizuna Red Streaks mustard microgreen seeds are heirloom, non-GMO seeds that are ready for harvest in about 12 days. The gorgeous red and purple highlights and flavorful mustard taste make these microgreens a perfect addition to your micro salad.
Organic Mizuna Red Streaks mustard microgreen seeds are heirloom, non-GMO, and USDA certified organic. Ready in 12 days with a delightful flavor and green leaves with red and purple highlights, this microgreen is great on sandwiches and in microgreen salads.
Our easy-to-follow, step-by-step growing guide will help maximize your harvest. We will walk you through each step of the process from knowing how to properly fill your growing tray with growing medium to how to harvest and store your mustard microgreens.
Gather the equipment listed above and get ready to dive into the wonderful world of microgreen gardening. We are sure once you get started, you will love it!
Once you have gathered your mustard microgreen growing supplies, it is time to prepare your growing tray. Begin by filling your growing tray with drainage holes with your growing medium. Fill to the top of the tray, ensuring the growing medium extends to all four corners of the tray.
Grab a piece of cardboard and press down on your growing medium to help slightly compact the soil and ensure it is flat and evenly distributed across the entire growing tray. Your soil level should be just slightly below the top of the grow tray. If necessary, add more growing medium and press down until it reaches the recommended depth.
Once your growing tray is properly filled, you will need to thoroughly saturate the soil. There are a couple of ways you can do this. You can spray the soil with your misting bottle, or you can place your tray in a couple of inches of water.
If you choose to use the misting bottle, spray the entire surface with water. Then allow the water to soak into the soil for fifteen minutes. You will continue spraying the soil and allowing it to soak into the soil several times. We recommend doing this process at least 6 times to ensure all of the soil is moistened.
If you choose to place your tray in water, you will need to fill your sink or tub with an inch or two of water. Place the tray in the water, ensuring the water stays below the top of the tray. Allow the soil to draw the moisture up into the soil for at least thirty minutes. Then, remove the tray from the water and allow any excess water to drain from the tray.
It is now time to complete the last step of setting up your grow tray. Place your grow tray with drainage holes inside one of the trays without drainage holes. This setup will allow you to water your soil from the bottom up.
Once you have prepared your growing trays, it is time to plant your mustard microgreen seeds. You will need approximately one ounce of mustard microgreen seeds for each 10 by 20-inch growing tray. Mustard seeds are very small. To help you evenly distribute the seeds across the entire surface of the grow tray, a spice shaker like this one is necessary.
Sprinkle the seeds across the entire surface of the soil and gently pat the seeds into the soil. Next, sprinkle a small amount of soil on top of the seeds. The seeds should just barely be covered; therefore, it will only take a handful or two of growing medium.
Once your seeds have been sown and the soil has been scattered across the seeds, it is time to slightly dampen the soil and set your trays up for the germination process. Grab your misting bottle and give the soil three to four sprays to slightly dampen the growing medium.
The germination process is the process of the microgreen plant emerging from the seed. When you plant a seed in the ground, you cover it with soil, which creates pressure and darkness. You will mimic this by utilizing the third growing tray and a heavy book, rock, or weight.
Invert the third growing tray and place it atop the soil. Then, place a stone, weight, or book atop the inverted tray. The weight will not only provide the pressure needed to ensure the roots grow downward rather than laterally, but it also ensures the inverted lid stays firmly against the soil to ensure total darkness.
Many new microgreen gardeners are concerned that the inverted tray and the heavy book, stone, or weight will damage the microgreens. This process won't hurt your seeds or seedlings. In fact, the weight and darkness help ensure strong, healthy microgreens.
Once you have prepped your grow trays for germination, it is time to place the growing tray atop your heating mat. The optimal temperature for germination is between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping your soil at the optimal temperature will not only help your seeds germinate quickly but will also maximize the germination rate of your mustard microgreen seeds.
Your mustard microgreens will germinate in just a couple of days. You will want to check the moisture level and germination rate daily. Once 90 percent of your mustard microgreen seeds have germinated, it is time to remove the inverted tray and proceed to the next step.
When you first remove the inverted tray, your microgreens will be a pale, yellowish-white color. This may be concerning when you first see it; however, it is totally normal. As the microgreens are exposed to light, they will quickly transform into a beautiful green color.
Placing your microgreens under full spectrum LED grow lights will help quickly activate photosynthesis, which transforms your microgreens from pale white to a beautiful vibrant green color. If you are using a growing rack, you can easily suspend your grow lights directly above your microgreen growing tray. Leave your grow lights on for 12 to 16 hours each day for optimal development and growth.
Once you have removed the inverted tray and placed your mustard microgreens under grow lights, it is time to turn on the circulation fans. Because mustard microgreens are planted closely together, a circulation fan is needed to increase airflow around the plants, which reduces the risk of soilborne diseases like mold.
Attach the circulation fans to the side of your grow rack, ensuring the air blows across the top of the plants, not across the surface of your growing medium as this will prematurely dry out your growing medium.
Mustard microgreens are ready for harvest in 6 to 12 days. They are ready to harvest when the first set of true leaves begin to form. You want to ensure that your mustard microgreens have reached the peak flavor profile.
Because each variety of mustard microgreens develops differently, you will need to taste your mustard microgreens daily. Once they taste the way you want them to taste, withhold watering them for 12 hours before harvesting the mustard microgreens.
When it comes to harvesting mustard microgreens, you must work quickly as air exposure reduces the shelf life of your mustard microgreens. In addition to this, you must use a sharp knife or a pair of sharp scissors to avoid bruising the stems of your mustard microgreens, which can also decrease the shelf life of your microgreens.
The only supplies you will need for harvesting are a couple of clean, dry paper towels and your sharp knife or scissors. Place your paper towels on your countertop. Then, grab your scissors or knife and get ready to harvest your mustard microgreens.
Gently grasp the microgreens in your hand and quickly cut the microgreens approximately one eight of an inch above the soil. As you cut your microgreens, place them on your paper towels. Continue cutting until your entire tray of mustard microgreens has been harvested.
Once you have harvested your microgreens, you will need to decide what you will do with them. Will you immediately enjoy them, or will you store them for future use?
If you will be eating them immediately, plunge the microgreens in cool, not cold, water. Then spread them out on clean paper towels or use a salad spinner to remove the excess water.
If you will be storing your microgreens for future use, make sure that you do not get them wet. Any dampness will shorten the storage life of your mustard microgreens.
When properly stored, your mustard microgreens can be stored in the refrigerator for about two weeks. Loosely wrap your cut microgreens in a clean, dry paper towel. Then, place them in an airtight storage bag or storage container. The paper towel will absorb any moisture, which will help keep your mustard microgreens fresh.
Place your mustard microgreens immediately in your vegetable crisper. Ensure your refrigerator is between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
When ready to use, dunk the mustard microgreens in cool water and then place them in a single layer on your paper towels. Once washed and dried, your mustard microgreens are ready for enjoyment.
Mustard microgreens provide you with a healthy way to add flavor and crunch to your favorite dish. The spicy flavor of mustard microgreens is a great addition to burgers, sandwiches, and microgreen salads.
