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Organic Gardening:

How to grow organic Komatsuna

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Komatsuna (Mustard spinach)

Brassica rapa Perviridis group

Family: Cruciferae (Group 2)

Komatsuna are a very diverse group of large leaved brassicas which, strangely enough, are more closely related to turnips than to the other leafy brassicas. Fully grown leaves can be anything up to 30cm by 18cm (12"x7"), although they can be harvested at any stage from young seedlings to large plants. The flavour and texture are more like European than Chinese cabbage, but slightly spinachy. Young leaves (or shredded older ones) can be used in salads, otherwise komatsuna are cooked and used as a green vegetable.

Komatsuna are hardy plants, very vigorous and adaptable They cope well with both high and low temperatures and are also more tolerant of drought than most oriental brassicas. Although they are capable of surviving most winters outdoors, you will get better quality plants by growing them under cover in winter, where they will continue to grow in sunny weather.

Site and soil

Recommended cultivars

All Top, Komatsuna, Tendergreen

Choose an open, unshaded site with fertile, well-drained and moisture retentive soil, which should be slightly acid (min pH 5.4, but see note on clubroot - add lime if necessary to adjust pH). Brassicas have a high nitrogen requirement and also need very firm soil. To ensure sufficient nutrient levels, it is best to topdress or apply a liquid feed such as seaweed fertiiser during growth.

Because brassicas are prone to soil infections, for example, Clubroot, it's important to use a minimum 3 year rotation plan.

Mature and semi-mature crop

Sow successionally 2.5cm (1") deep from June to August, either in modules or direct. Spacing varies according to cultivar and final size required, from 5cm (2") apart for harvest very young to 17-20cm (10-12") to harvest large. Harvest by cutting individual leaves and allow plants to continue growing.

Note on clubroot

Soil may remain infected for 20 years; steps to avoid introduction include:

good drainage
rotation
liming acid soils to a pH around 7
working in high levels of organic matter
ensuring clean plants are used - source must be known to be free of disease (best grown at home in sterile medium)
boots and tools used on infected land must be thoroughly cleaned before use on clean land

Once infected avoid growing any brassicas except fast maturing types such as Texsel greens or cut and come again oriental seedlings. If you have no other land available, and you must grow types with a lengthy growing season, you can try sowing seed in modules, and potting up until the plants reach a height of 10cm (4") before planting out. A root drench may also help.

If you're interested in healthy food, you may also be interested in our sister site, The Health Site, Your Online Health Channel.

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