Abstract
The growers for Stephen's Produce began growing and marketing mizuna, Brassica rapa L. (Japonica group), in 2000 and bekana, Brassica rapa L. (Chinensis group), in 2002 from a 0.15 acre backyard market garden to help supply the West Palm Beach Green Market with a Saturday supply of quot;garden freshquot; produce. The garden has been expanded each year. In 2005-2006, 0.38 acres were under cultivation and clientele were being served at two weekend green markets. Mizuna and bekana were two of the 30 crops grown and have been included in the crop mix each year. Planting schedules, growing and harvesting methods, yields, and sales figures are discussed. For the 2004-2005 season, 10 plantings of mizuna and 28 plantings of bekana were made for the 28 week sales season which began 6 November and concluded 15 May. These crops were cut, bunched, and banded the day before sales. Prices ranged from $1.00 to $1.75 per bunch and an average of 19.5 bunches of mizuna and 24.6 bunches of bekana were sold each week in 2004 -2005. Total production was 580 bunches of mizuna ($760) and 821 bunches of bekana ($1,028).
