Green Blog
13 July 2011
Grow your own food, week 15 - Japanese leaves
Anyone who's been reading this series of growing blogs might have noticed my fixation with salad.
I make no apologies. It's easy, cheap, quick and genuinely saves money.
And unless you're forking out on organic, who knows what the shop stuff has been sprayed with.
So not to disappoint, here is a group of leaves that are perfect to sow now and will give you salad through autumn and into early winter.
Japanese leaves or greens include red and green mustard, pak choi, mizuna (pictured) and mustard spinach.
Sow them straight into the ground and cover with 1cm of potting compost. You want to end up with baby leaves about 2cm apart.
You'll often find Japanese leaves sold as mixes (try Thompson & Morgan) but can buy them separately too (try the Organic Gardening Catalogue).
Don't let the idea of mustard put you off. It's true, some of these leaves have a bit of a kick, but harvest them young and they're fine.
Mizuna is probably the most mellow, like a milder form of rocket.
Speaking of which, you should sow that now too.
And when the leaves come up in autumn, and you're not sure you like the taste, then ask your nearest restaurant if they want them. They'll bite your hand off.
This is the final part of Dominic's grow-your-own food series for now but he'll continue to blog on gardening - and more.
Dominic Murphy's book 'The Playground Potting Shed' includes an easy guide to growing food throughout the year. To order a signed copy at the special price of £6.99 please visit our Shop.
© FotoosVanRobin
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