Most Oriental vegetables are in the Brassica or Cole family. These mustards are easy to grow, once we understand that they are highly sensitive to day-length. In the spring, Oriental vegetables will rapidly bolt as the days get longer. In order to get a full-sized plant, they must be started very early so that they're full-sized by mid-May. Cold, heavy soils may not be suitable for this early crop, so a cloche or cold-frame can be used to warm the soil. They can be planted again after the middle of July, as the days get shorter so the plants do not bolt right away. Fall planting enables the plant to grow often through the winter and until the next spring, in a mild winter area.
