How to grow Mibuna in Australia
A fast mustard-family green for full sun to part shade in fertile, moisture-holding soil. Sow direct and thin seedlings, keeping the soil evenly moist for tender, peppery leaves.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 15 cm
- Time to harvest: 35 days
- Time to germinate: 5 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | February to September | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | February to September | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | February to September | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep. Cold hardy and quick; pick as cut and come again. Summer sowings bolt. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep like mizuna. Fast cool season green; it bolts in summer heat. |
| Perth & WA | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep like mizuna. Fast cool season green; it bolts in summer heat. |
| Tasmania | August to March | Sow Aug to Mar. Cold-hardy Japanese green, excellent autumn-winter crop. |
| Canberra & ACT | February to April, September and October | Sow Feb to Apr for autumn and winter picking, or Sep to Oct for spring. Winter sowing fails in cold soil. |
| North Queensland | May to September | Dry season May to Sep. Sow little and often; it bolts once the build up starts. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to September | Dry season May to Sep. Sow little and often; it bolts once the build up starts. |
Varieties
- Mibuna
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Cut outer leaves once a good handful long, or shear the whole plant young. Leave the crown when cutting and it resprouts for several rounds.
Storage
Fridge in a sealed bag for 3 to 4 days. Best eaten fresh.