In the garden:
Growth Characteristics:
• Annuals, Fros±80 cm.
Green-in-Snow or Chinese Mustard ( Brassica juncea )
• This hardy plant will survive even in the snow. The slightly peppery tasting spinach is also great for winter soups and stews and can be added as a healthy salad plant that gives a bit of a peppery bite to the salad. The yellow flowers are delicious in stir-fries.
Height: ±50 cm; Spread: ±40 cm.
Red Giant or Japanese Mustard Lettuce ( Brassica rapus-var. )
• This bold and decorative leafed plant with its big copper/bronze coloured leaves is a must.
• The coloured leaves have a peppery bite that adds great novelty to a salad, stir-fry and other
dishes. In the winter months it is a good health boosting plant!
• Height: ±50 cm; Spread: ±40 cm.
Tatsoi( Brassica var. )
• Forms a rosette of dark green, glossy leaves which are rich in iron. Tatsoi makes a great winter soup with all the right nutrients. If left to go to seed, then it will produce attractive yellow flowers.
• Height: ±20 cm; Spread: ±20 cm.
Pak-Choi( Brassica oleracea )
• A rosette forming plant, with dark glossy, spoon-shaped leaves with whitish stems. It ia also a hardy winter plant that can be cooked like spinach whilst the stems may be steamed
like asparagus. The leaves are rich in beta-carotene and Vitamins B and C to help ward off winter colds and flu.
• Height: ±30 cm; Spread: ±20 cm.
Cultivation:
• Full sun; Well drained, composted soil,
• Grow from early Autumn (March) to late Spring (October).
Harvesting:
• Pick fresh leaves and flowers when necessary,
• New leaves will continue to develop for regular picking.
Companion Planting:
• Attracting Beneficial insects: A wonderful source of necter for Bees during the winter months.
Culinary use:
Use Oriental vegetables leaves with:
• Soups, Stews, Stir-fries, Salads, Sandwiches.
• Use with other vetables, Cabbage, meat, poultry and fish.
• Cream cheese, Salad dressings, Marinade, Omelettes.
• Steamed and served with lemon juice, a dab of butter and a little sprinkle of salt and pepper.
• The flowers are also edible and their bright yellow buds look lovely in salads.