Ruby Streaks has ferny feathery foliage from dark green with red veins deepening to a dark maroon as the temperature drops, arguably the prettiest baby leaf mustard. The colour will be stronger during spring and autumn production. The flavour is mild, delicately spiced with a sweet overtone especially when young: as with all mustard leaves the flavour intensifies as it grows. This is a quick crop, just 3 weeks for baby laves and 6 weeks for mature stir fry size Price for 50 seeds
SOW: in spring and autumn. Starting the seeds 5mm deep in modules enables you to transplant at the 2/3 leaf stage; for really good crops in winter transplant under cover in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse, in milder areas they can grow under cloches (should be fine down to -4C).
GROW: this is a speedy crop: it needs just 3 weeks to reach a large enough size for baby leaf use: when they are about 10cm tall start taking a few leaves from each plant at a time and they will resprout 3 or 4 times. Space at about 20cm apart and allow 6 weeks for mature stir fry sized leaves. Keep regularly watered if the weather turns dry.
EAT: in salads or lightly cooked – a very useful addition to your range of winter leaves – colourful and delicious.