Radek Tesár 20. 9. 2025 clock 3 minutes video
Sowing mustard in autumn is a simple and very effective solution for soil improvement. Yet many gardeners are unknowingly mistaken here, and the results are not as they could be.
Mustard is one of the most popular green fertilizers. It grows fast, covers the soil well and is enriched by oi nitrogen after plowing. The autumn sowing is ideal because the plant can grow, but not. But this is where there are many mistakes, IU experienced growers. So what to watch for mustard really fulfill its purpose?
Autumn is behind the door and the end of this year’s garden season. But did you know that even in this period it is possible to bet new plants? Watch a video in which you will learn more:
The most common mistakes in sowing mustard in autumn
The first fundamental mistake is late sowing. Mustard grows rapidly, but needs at least 6 to 8 weeks without frost to grow sufficiently. If you sow it at the end of October, it often does not manage to grow. The ideal time for sowing is therefore the end of August to the beginning of October, depending on the area.
The second common mistake is sowing into poorly prepared soil. Mustard is not nutrient -intensive, but it hates heavy or waterlogged soil. It is therefore important to prepare it in advance, or add a little compost or sand if it is too heavy. The neglected preparation will affect slow growth and subsequent slight coverage.
The third problem is that many gardeners let the mustard bloom and sow. This is wrong for two reasons: first of all, you lose control over where the plant will spread, and on the other hand its value as fertilizer decreases. It is ideal to mow or plow just before blooming, when it is still young and juicy.
How correctly for sowing and using mustard as green fertilizer
Sowing should be dense to make plants continuous. Approximately 1 to 2 grams of seed per square meter is recommended. When sowing, it is advisable to lightly light the seeds with rakes and then sprinkle the soil with water. If it is dry, it is important to supply moisture in the next days, otherwise germination slows down or mustard at all.
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Mustard is especially suitable where you harvested potatoes, vegetables or other demanding crop. However, do not grow it repeatedly in the same place and avoid sowing after cruciferous plants to avoid distributing different diseases.
When processing the green fertilizer, cut the plants at a time when they are about 30 centimeters high and then pour them into the soil with a spade or cultivator. If the weather does not allow it, you can leave the stand on the surface as a mulch.
Mustard as a green fertilizer offers really many advantages: it quickly covers the soil, suppresses weeds and after incorporation improves the soil structure and fertility. But to actually work, it must be properly timed and well processed. Avoid common mistakes, and next season you can look forward to a rich crop.
