YOUR VERY OWN EDIBLE HERB GARDEN
BECOME AN URBAN GARDENER
Herbs are one of the most rewarding container plants.What could be better than flavoring your food straight from your own kitchen garden?
To grow vegetables or herbs you will require one window which gets at least 4 hours of strong sunlight every day
1. LEMONGRASS- You can grow lemon grass by rooting a stalk or buy the sapling. To sprout put ends of lemon grass in a cupful of water in a warm sunny place. Roots will begin to emerge in 10 days. Trim or peel the outer leaves from the stalk , leaving behind the central stalk. Fill a pot with rich soil and plant the stalk in it with the root completely covered . Keep soil moist but not completely wet in good sunlight. Harvest by cutting leaves.
2. MINT - One of the most versatile herbs which can be used to infuse many things from tea to mojitos. It is easy to grow, even in shady places which only get a little sun. Put each stalk in its own pot, keep it well watered and pick it regularly. It will soon grow into a small bushy plant and give you a regular supply of fresh mint from April to November. Once your plant is established remove it from the pot and divide it into half or quarter and re pot it.
4. CORIANDER/ DHANIA- Crush a handful of coriander seeds, spread evenly in a pot and cover lightly with soil. Drench the soil regularly till you find signs of germination. The seeds germinate quite fast but will bunch up if you haven't spread them evenly. A stubborn plant, it may take some time to grow, but soon you will have a pretty pot of essential cooking herbs.
5. FENUGREEK/ METHI - Is a very versatile herb that finds its use in a variety of dishes. Take a few methi seeds , sow the seeds by spacing them out in a pot, and cover lightly with soil.Sprinkle and drench the soil generously with water and soon you will find signs of germination.In a couple of weeks the tiny seedlings will mature into pretty bunches. Methi grows best in winter, so sow the seeds a little before the onset of winter.
6. DILL - One of the easiest herbs to grow. Use a pot that is one foot deep, sprinkle seeds over the soil filled container and cover them with a light dusting of potting soil. Keep the soil moist and the seeds will germinate in a few days. Dill likes well drained, sunny spots and shelter from wind.
7. MALABAR SPINACH- Super easy to grow, this leafy vegetable is a fast growing soft stem vine that can grow as tall as 8 meters! Take a healthy and fleshy stalk and stick it into a pot with rich soil and watch it grow uncomplainingly.
8. AJWAIN- You can simply borrow a twig or get one from a nursery. This quick growing plant does not require much sunlight or water. The beautiful ridged leaves of the ajwain plant are edible and an easy home remedy for tummy upsets.
9. BASIL / TULSI - This plant can be easily grown at home from a sapling in loamy soil, it requires a lot of indirect sunlight and water. The best time to plant it is at night, The plant can grow up to 2-3 feet and gives lots of seeds. Tulsi is a flavorful addition to tea and long considered a home remedy for sore a throat.
HERB GROWING TIPS
1. LIGHT- This is the most important factor in growing herbs, a south west facing window is your best bet,
If you see brown spots on the foliage it probably means that they are getting too much light and burning.
If the plants are growing longer stems and fewer leaves it means they are not getting enough light and stretching to find more.
2. WATER- Herbs don't need that much water, over watering is the biggest mistake people make trying to grow herbs. Make sure you have good drainage at the bottom of your pot.
Don't water from above but wet the soil instead.
3. POTS- Terracotta pots are ideal because they are porous and allows the plant to breathe. whichever container you select make sure it has small drainage holes to let the water drain and not the soil.
4. PRUNING- Pruning encourages bushy growth. Always prune from the top that way you get all the tender tasty new herbs ,leaving the tough lower leaves alone.
5. SOIL- Never use tired old garden soil as this lacks nutrient, use potting soil and compost to see your herbs thrive.
6. FERTILIZER- Potted plants require more fertilizer than plants grown in the ground. Try and use the organic fertilizers as the chemical ones will affect the taste of your herbs.
7. EAT WHAT YOU GROW- While your obsessed with watching your plants get bigger and better, don't forget the reason your growing them in the first place..... to eat them.
ONE STOP SHOPS ONLINE
SEEDS, SAPLINGS, SOIL, FERTILIZERS, POTS AND MORE
1. www.nurserylive.com
2. www.plantsguru.com
3. www.zansaar.com
4. www.gamlaa.com
5. www.kraftseeds.com
BECOME AN URBAN GARDENER
Herbs are one of the most rewarding container plants.What could be better than flavoring your food straight from your own kitchen garden?
To grow vegetables or herbs you will require one window which gets at least 4 hours of strong sunlight every day
1. LEMONGRASS- You can grow lemon grass by rooting a stalk or buy the sapling. To sprout put ends of lemon grass in a cupful of water in a warm sunny place. Roots will begin to emerge in 10 days. Trim or peel the outer leaves from the stalk , leaving behind the central stalk. Fill a pot with rich soil and plant the stalk in it with the root completely covered . Keep soil moist but not completely wet in good sunlight. Harvest by cutting leaves.
2. MINT - One of the most versatile herbs which can be used to infuse many things from tea to mojitos. It is easy to grow, even in shady places which only get a little sun. Put each stalk in its own pot, keep it well watered and pick it regularly. It will soon grow into a small bushy plant and give you a regular supply of fresh mint from April to November. Once your plant is established remove it from the pot and divide it into half or quarter and re pot it.
3. CURRY LEAVES- Get a healthy sapling and your set. Even though its a hardy plant, it can be a little fussy. Diluted curd or butter milk serves as an excellent home fertilizer that promotes its growth.
4. CORIANDER/ DHANIA- Crush a handful of coriander seeds, spread evenly in a pot and cover lightly with soil. Drench the soil regularly till you find signs of germination. The seeds germinate quite fast but will bunch up if you haven't spread them evenly. A stubborn plant, it may take some time to grow, but soon you will have a pretty pot of essential cooking herbs.
5. FENUGREEK/ METHI - Is a very versatile herb that finds its use in a variety of dishes. Take a few methi seeds , sow the seeds by spacing them out in a pot, and cover lightly with soil.Sprinkle and drench the soil generously with water and soon you will find signs of germination.In a couple of weeks the tiny seedlings will mature into pretty bunches. Methi grows best in winter, so sow the seeds a little before the onset of winter.
6. DILL - One of the easiest herbs to grow. Use a pot that is one foot deep, sprinkle seeds over the soil filled container and cover them with a light dusting of potting soil. Keep the soil moist and the seeds will germinate in a few days. Dill likes well drained, sunny spots and shelter from wind.
7. MALABAR SPINACH- Super easy to grow, this leafy vegetable is a fast growing soft stem vine that can grow as tall as 8 meters! Take a healthy and fleshy stalk and stick it into a pot with rich soil and watch it grow uncomplainingly.
9. BASIL / TULSI - This plant can be easily grown at home from a sapling in loamy soil, it requires a lot of indirect sunlight and water. The best time to plant it is at night, The plant can grow up to 2-3 feet and gives lots of seeds. Tulsi is a flavorful addition to tea and long considered a home remedy for sore a throat.
HERB GROWING TIPS
1. LIGHT- This is the most important factor in growing herbs, a south west facing window is your best bet,
If you see brown spots on the foliage it probably means that they are getting too much light and burning.
If the plants are growing longer stems and fewer leaves it means they are not getting enough light and stretching to find more.
2. WATER- Herbs don't need that much water, over watering is the biggest mistake people make trying to grow herbs. Make sure you have good drainage at the bottom of your pot.
Don't water from above but wet the soil instead.
3. POTS- Terracotta pots are ideal because they are porous and allows the plant to breathe. whichever container you select make sure it has small drainage holes to let the water drain and not the soil.
4. PRUNING- Pruning encourages bushy growth. Always prune from the top that way you get all the tender tasty new herbs ,leaving the tough lower leaves alone.
5. SOIL- Never use tired old garden soil as this lacks nutrient, use potting soil and compost to see your herbs thrive.
6. FERTILIZER- Potted plants require more fertilizer than plants grown in the ground. Try and use the organic fertilizers as the chemical ones will affect the taste of your herbs.
7. EAT WHAT YOU GROW- While your obsessed with watching your plants get bigger and better, don't forget the reason your growing them in the first place..... to eat them.
ONE STOP SHOPS ONLINE
SEEDS, SAPLINGS, SOIL, FERTILIZERS, POTS AND MORE
1. www.nurserylive.com
2. www.plantsguru.com
3. www.zansaar.com
4. www.gamlaa.com
5. www.kraftseeds.com
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