Bald Head Mustard in a wooden box with props on a white background.
Bald Head Mustard in wooden box.
Bald Head Mustard head with braided roots.
Bald Head Mustard heads being held.
Mustard Seeds, Bald Head
Bald Head Mustard in a wooden box with props on a white background.
Bald Head Mustard in wooden box.
Bald Head Mustard head with braided roots.
Bald Head Mustard heads being held.
Mustard Seeds, Bald Head

Mustard Seeds,
Bald Head

4.54 Reviews#OR157 · 200 seeds
Price
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Description

(Brassica juncea var. napiformis). This unusual root crop is a winter staple in northern China and parts of Japan, and may be poised to become the next exciting winter crop for market farmers and homesteaders. Roots are smooth and shiny like a bald head, and have a mild spicy mustard flavor. A refreshing, cool-season crop typically pickled or stir fried, this crunchy and juicy root is considered a good source of vitamins and nutrients during the long winter months.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Brassica juncea var. napiformis
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
6–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
5–8
Days to Maturity
70–90
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
12 in.
Ideal Temperature
65–70°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

Growing Guide

When to Grow

While it can tolerate frost, it’s best planted in cool spring or fall conditions. Best suited for USDA zones 3-9. For precise planting dates, check your local frost/freeze dates to avoid frost damage to seedlings​. If you’re not sure how to find your area's first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

How to Sow and Plant

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, spaced 12 inches apart. ​You can also start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks prior to the last freeze date for early spring planting. Transplant seedlings outside once they are 3-4 inches tall and after hardening them off.

How to Grow

  • Watering: Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Mustard greens require about 1 inch of water per week, more during dry spells.
  • Fertilizing: Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once or twice during the growing season.
  • Weed Control: Maintain weed-free beds to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture. Mulching can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

How to Save Seeds

Brassica juncea is capable of self pollinating, but insects can cross pollinate the flowers with other varieties of B. juncea if growing within a 2-mile radius. If saving seeds, isolate the plants from other B. juncea varieties by 2 miles.

To save the seeds, allow pods to brown, dry, and become crispy. Shake pods into a paper bag to remove seeds. Store seeds in a cool, dark, dry location.

FAQ

How long does Bald Head mustard take to harvest?

Roots are ready in about 70-90 days from sowing. Leaves can be picked earlier, but the root needs the full season to fill out.

Can Bald Head mustard tolerate frost?

Yes, mustard is somewhat frost-tolerant; however, it grows best between 65-70 degrees F.

When can I harvest Bald Head mustard?

Lift the roots at 70-90 days, once they have swelled to full size, and before hard freeze. The young leaves can be cut sparingly as a bonus green, but heavy leaf stripping reduces root size.

Browse our full range of mustard seeds.

Customer reviews

4.5 / 5 4 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Easy and quick: Direct sow; establishes fast with few pests and little weeding.

  • Made for pickling: Pungent and bitter raw; shines pickled or fermented.

  • Productive root: Sizes up well in cool weather; the greens are edible too.

More to grow!

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