Leafy Greens Mustard Southern Giant Curled represents a cherished traditional heirloom variety with deep historical roots and proven performance across generations of Southern gardeners. This iconic cultivar traces its ancestry to the Himalayan region of India, where mustard greens have been cultivated for over 5,000 years before spreading throughout China and establishing themselves as a cornerstone of global cuisine. The heavily curled, intricately frilly foliage creates visually striking bright green leaves that command attention in both fresh salad presentations and cooked preparations. The large, bright green leaves deliver mild mustard flavor in raw applications with characteristic peppery undertones. When cooked through traditional Southern methods — steamed, sautéed, or braised — the heat mellows considerably, developing nuanced savory complexity that pairs beautifully with beans, pork, and other proteins. Baby leaves reach harvestable size in approximately 21 days; full-sized mature plants in 45 days.

Germination Rate: 85%. Test Date: 12/25. WILL.

Why Choose Southern Giant Curled Mustard Greens?

• Southern Kitchen Classic: The most iconic mustard green variety in Southern American cooking — a staple of soul food and traditional home gardens for generations.
• Cut-and-Come-Again: Harvest baby leaves in 21 days or full-size leaves in 45 days. Continuous harvest throughout the cool season from a single planting.
• Beautiful Frilly Texture: Deeply curled, ruffled leaves with prominent fringed margins — stunning in the garden and on the plate.
• Mild Raw, Complex Cooked: Peppery and crisp fresh; mellow and savory when braised in the pot likker tradition.
• Cool-Season Champion: Thrives in spring and fall; frost-tolerant and actually sweetens after a light freeze.
• Heirloom & Open-Pollinated: 5,000-year lineage — save seeds year after year for a self-sustaining garden.
• Non-GMO Seeds: Plants whose DNA has not been altered in ways that do not occur naturally through traditional breeding methods.

Planting Tips for Success

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade. Tolerates light shade, especially in warmer climates where afternoon shade reduces bolting.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–6.8. Amend with compost before planting — mustard greens are heavy nitrogen feeders.
• Planting: Direct sow outdoors 4–6 weeks before last spring frost, or in late summer/early fall for fall harvest. Sow ¼ inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows 18 inches apart. Thin to 6–12 inches apart.
• Spacing: Thin to 6–12 inches apart for full-size leaves, or leave closer for continuous baby leaf harvest.
• Watering: Keep consistently moist. Dry conditions accelerate bolting. Water at the base to avoid leaf disease.
• Fertilizing: Side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer 3–4 weeks after planting to support lush, tender leaf growth.
• Support: No staking needed. Pinch flower buds as they appear to extend the harvest window.
• Harvesting: Begin with baby leaves at 21 days or allow to full size at 45 days. Harvest outer leaves first, always leaving the center growing point intact. Flavor improves after a light frost.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: We pledge to sell only non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds. Read our Safe Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: All seeds sold under our standard Vegetable Seed License.

Cooking Methods & Uses

• Southern Braised Greens: The classic preparation — slow-braise with smoked ham hock, onion, and pot likker (the flavorful cooking liquid) for traditional Southern mustard greens.
• Sauted Greens: Wilt in olive oil with garlic and red pepper flakes for a quick, flavorful side dish.
• Fresh Salads: Use baby leaves in salads for a peppery, arugula-like bite that adds depth to mixed green compositions.
• Stir-Fry: Stir-fry with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce in the Chinese tradition, honoring the variety’s Asian culinary heritage.
• Pickling: Quick-pickle mature leaves in rice vinegar and sesame oil for a tangy, crunchy condiment.
• Smoothies: Blend young baby leaves into green smoothies for a mild peppery kick and nutritional boost.

Order Southern Giant Curled Mustard Greens Seeds Today

Order yours today and grow your own fresh mustard greens in your spring and fall gardens.

Nutritional Information

(Applies to harvested mustard greens, not seeds. Per 1 cup (56g) raw, chopped.)

• Calories: 15
• Protein: 1.5g
• Total Carbohydrate: 2.6g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.8g
• Vitamin K: 144% DV
• Vitamin A: 118% DV
• Vitamin C: 65% DV
• Folate: 26% DV
• Calcium: 6% DV

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Heirloom varieties may exhibit natural variation in leaf size and pungency depending on season and growing conditions. Heat accelerates bolting — plant in cool seasons for best results.
• Seed Storage: Store seeds in a cool, dry location. Properly stored seeds maintain viability for 4–5 years.
• Planting Zones: Grown as a cool-season annual in all USDA zones. Best in spring and fall in Zones 3–11; tolerates light frost and flavor improves after a freeze. In Zones 9–11, grow primarily as a fall/winter crop.

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