Mustard Seeds - Southern Giant

Southern Giant Curled Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea var. crispifolia) is a 1935 All-America Selections Winner prized for its winter hardiness, superb flavor, and high yields. Large, bright green leaves with heavily curled, frilled edges deliver a mild mustard flavor perfect for salads, cooking, and preserving.

Key Features:

• 40-65 days to maturity
• 1935 All-America Selections Winner
• Winter hardy and cold tolerant
• Slow to bolt for extended harvests
• Rich in vitamins A, B, C, and beta-carotene
• Excellent for freezing and canning
• Large, curly, frilled bright green leaves

Seed Count:

• 1 oz ≈ 17,500 seeds

Growing Conditions:

• Sun: Partial sun
• Soil: Rich, fertile soil with pH 6.0-7.5 and plenty of organic matter
• Height: 12-24"
• Spacing: 6-15" after thinning, rows 18" apart
• Temperature: Best flavor in cooler weather

Planting Guide:

When to Sow: Early spring through fall. Sow at 2-week intervals for continuous harvest. Very cold tolerant—can be started indoors and transplanted before frost, or direct sown a few weeks before last frost.

How to Plant: Cover seeds with 1/4" fine soil. Can be broadcast or sown in rows. Keep soil moderately moist during germination (4-10 days at 60-70°F).

Thinning: Thin plants gradually to 6" apart in rows. Use thinned greens in salads for a fresh, mild flavor.

Care: Provide regular, even moisture to avoid bitterness. Plants need consistent water and nutrient-rich soil for best flavor and texture.

Harvest: Begin harvesting individual outer leaves when plants reach 6" or after the center rosette develops. Slow to bolt and winter hardy for extended harvests. Flavor is best during cooler weather on less mature plants.

Uses: Young leaves add a mild mustard flavor to salads. In Southern cuisine, mature leaves are traditionally boiled down for a tender, flavorful side dish. Excellent for freezing and canning to enjoy year-round.

Variety Notes: Also known as Southern Curled. Upright, vigorous, hardy plants with large, wide, oval bright green leaves that are curled and fringed on the edges. A relatively long-standing variety ideal for home gardens or market production.