Growing Guides Archives - Yarroway Farm

Sweet Potatoes Growing Guide

July 7, 2023

Originating in tropical South America, sweet potatoes are not really potatoes at all, but a delicious and nutritious member of the morning glory family. The roots of this cold-sensitive vining plant become massive and swollen, full of starch and delicious packed with Vitamin A and C, plus Potassium and Calcium. Plants are heat tolerant as well as fairly drought tolerant and unaffected by insect pests, making them a super reliable crop.

Good Companions: Beans, Beets, Dill, Thyme, Peppers/Chilli,

Bad Companions: Squash

Growing: Sweet potatoes are a long-season crop and are not grown from seed but from live plants. They are grown from cuttings called slips that can be brought ready to plant, or grown from tubers stored from the previous year. Set cuttings/slips 12-18 inches apart on earthed up ridges or raised beds and mulch well. The mulch will warm the soil and retain moisture during dry spells.

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: They need to grow in a sheltered spot in full sun with plenty of space for their trailing stems. They require well-drained sandy loam soil that is well composted initially when the slips are being established. Weed around them carefully to avoid damaging the tubers forming underground.

Irrigation: Water freshly planted slips regularly until they establish, after which they need very little watering, even in dry spells. Occasional sprinkler irrigation works best. Avoid overwatering, especially on heavy clay soils, or the tubers produced will be thin and tasteless.

Harvesting and Storing: The tubers can be dug and eaten at any time once they are large enough (after 3-4 months depending on the variety. Harvest as soon as vines begin to blacken, as the roots will rot very quickly after leaves turn black. Dig with a spade, then leave the fresh tubers out in the sun to dry for the afternoon. Next you will want to cure the sweet potatoes to ensure good storage quality and reportedly a better taste than uncured roots. (The best way to cure is to place dry roots in a box lined with newspaper in a warm room with humidity around 85 percent. Let roots cure for about 10 days. After curing they can be kept for months in a cool dry storeroom.) They don’t have issues being exposed to light and they wont turn green like potatoes. Handle small batches at a time since they don’t mind staying in the ground for long periods, especially in warm weather.

By AnjaliIn Growing Guides

Tomatoes Growing Guide

July 7, 2023

Tomatoes are generally high yielding plants and need to be tied to a stake for supporting the fruits. A very satisfying crop to grow that come in several sizes, colors, and shapes. From beef-stakes to cherry tomatoes, different varieties are used for sundried tomatoes, sauces, pastes, slicing, and salads.

Determinate Tomatoes: The common market growing, high yielding varieties. They produce heavily all at once and then the plants die quickly.

Indeterminate Tomatoes: Most heirloom tomato varieties are indeterminate. They start slow, yield less and produce for a longer period of time.

Sowing Style: Sow in the nursery trays and Transplant at true leaf stage.

Time to Sow: Tomatoes do well in warm weather only. Sow in monsoon and transplant after heavy rain period has concluded, early Autumn so they grow through warm winter days, and late winter so that you have fruit all through summer. Sowing them at the beginning of winter might slow down germination and overall growth rates during the cold nights. A greenhouse or cold frame can resolve the issue to some extent.

Plant Spacing: 12-36in with 1.5-3.0ft spacing between rows. Refer to your seed packet or the product page for specific spacing requirements.

Good Companions: Basil, Carrots, Onions, Garlic, Chives, Parsley, Marigold, Nasturtiums, Stinging Nettle, Asparagus

Bad Companions: Brassica Family (Cauliflower, Cabbage, Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Mustards), Corn, Potatoes, Zucchini, Dill, Fennel, Tobacco.

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Unlike most vegetables, tomatoes like growing in the same place year after year, unless you have issues with disease, in which case you need to plant in a new area. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, and need compost at regular intervals during the growing period, so be generous with how much compost you give them. Too much foliage delays the ripening of fruit, therefore some pruning is required when they are growing. Keep the main stems and selectively pinch some of the side shoots out of the axils. Make sure the plant is getting enough light. So make good use of your balcony grill or chain link fence as a good trellis.

Irrigation: Tomatoes need daily watering until they start flowering. From that point onwards you can cut down the watering to once in 2-3 days or just giving very less water every day. Too much water will cause the fruit to swell and drop. Tomatoes do not like pouring rains and storms, so stall watering plans in such circumstances. Never water tomatoes from the top. The young flowers will drop or will rot and not form fruit. Best way to irrigate it to give water to the roots directly and Drip irrigation is the best method for larger plots.

Harvesting and Storing: Twist each colored fruit off to eat fresh, cook, or preserve. Harvest them green for chutneys or as a vegetable. They store well and longer in cool temperatures. Do not store tomatoes in the refrigerator

By AnjaliIn Growing Guides

Peppers & Chili Growing Guide

July 7, 2023

Peppers are native to South and Central America. Once Christopher Columbus got his hands on them, they were quickly spread throughout Europe and beyond. They are subtropical, so perform best in warmest climates. Sweet and Bell Peppers are usually rounder and larger than Chilli Peppers. In their native South America they are perennials, but we grow them like tomatoes, as annuals. All belong to the capsicum family, and they come in so many shapes and colors, that we can get lost keeping track.

CHILI/HOT PEPPER- Common Varieties: Asian Small Chilli, Birds Eye, Jalapeno, Habanero, Cayenne, Pimento, etc.

SWEET PEPPERS Common Varieties: Bell Peppers, Round Peppers, Italian Long Peppers, etc.

Sowing Style: Sow in the nursery trays and Transplant at true leaf stage. You can sow them outdoors on a soft seedbed before transplanting (avoid doing this if the nights are cold, you have pets who can destroy the seedbed, or if you cannot water the bed frequently).

Time to Sow: Peppers do well in warm weather, just like tomatoes. Sow in monsoon and transplant after heavy rain period has concluded, early Autumn so they grow through warm winter days, and late winter so that you have fruit all through summer. Pepper seeds can be a bit challenging to germinate and lose their viability quickly if not kept in cool conditions. Sowing them at the beginning of winter might slow down germination and overall growth rates during the cold nights. A greenhouse or cold frame can resolve the issue to some extent. Transplant them deep in warm soil.

Plant Spacing: 12-18in with 1.5-3.0ft spacing between rows. Refer to your seed packet or the product page for specific spacing requirements.

Good Companions: Basil, Carrots, Cucumber, Eggplant, Marigold, Mint, Okra, Onions, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Squash, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard

Bad Companions: Beans, Brassica Family (Cauliflower, Cabbage, Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Mustards), Dill, Fennel, Zucchini

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Peppers love heat and sunshine; cold regions should consider black plastic mulch to warm the soil. They prefer light well-drained soil and mature compost during planting. Too much nitrogen rich compost needs to be avoided because that can lead to more leaf growth than fruit. Do not mulch at the root of the plants, since the topsoil needs to stay dry. Keep an eye out for fungal diseases at the root level.

Irrigation: They need daily watering from seedling to flowering stage. From that point onwards you can cut down the watering to once in 3-5 days or just giving very less water every day. Never water pepper plants from the top. Best way to irrigate it to give water to the roots directly and drip irrigation is the best method for larger plots. Too much water will cause the fruit to rot and drop. They do not like pouring rains and storms, so stall watering plans in such circumstances.

Harvesting and Storing: Peppers ripen to green and then to hues such as red, yellow or orange, depending on the variety. Cut the fruits with an inch of stem so they last longer, don’t tug or pull the fruits off the plant. Picking off the first fruit when green encourages others to be produced. They store well and longer in cool temperatures.

By AnjaliIn Growing Guides

Eggplant Growing Guide

July 7, 2023

The eggplant also knows as Brinjal, is believed to have originated in Sri Lanka and India. Eggplants come in many shapes, sizes, and colors such as purple, black, green and white. They are not high in nutrition, but they make up for this with their unique flavor. Eggplants need plenty of heat, light, and humidity over their long growing season to mature. In warm regions, it grows as a perennial bush over a long period of time. So find a semi-permanent spot for them.

Sowing Style: Sow in the nursery trays and Transplant at true leaf stage.

You can sow them outdoors on a soft seedbed before transplanting (avoid doing this if the nights are cold, you have pets who can destroy the seedbed, or if you cannot water the bed frequently).

Time to Sow: Eggplants do well in warm weather, just like tomatoes and peppers. Sow in monsoon and transplant after heavy rain period has concluded, early Autumn so they grow through warm winter days, and late winter so that you have fruit all through summer. Eggplant cannot tolerant cool temperatures, especially when germinating.

Plant Spacing: 24-26in. Refer to your seed packet or the product page for specific spacing requirements.

Good Companions: Amaranth, Beans, Peas, Okra, Oregano, Thyme, Peppers/Chilli, Potato, Spinach.

Bad Companions: Cabbage, Fennel

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: They grow best in very fertile, mature composted soil that holds both heat and water. But does not thrive in wet weather. The plants are quite hardy and low maintenance overall. Compost every few months for continuous harvests. You can get refreshed growth into a new season by pruning them down and composting them well again with good moisture. Keep well watered but not soaked, and mulch around plants to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Irrigation: Do not overwater eggplants. Best way to irrigate it to give water to the roots directly and drip irrigation is the best method for larger plots. They need daily watering from seedling to flowering stage. From that point onwards you can cut down the watering to once in 3-5 days or just giving very less water every day. Never water plants from the top. Too much water will cause the fruit to rot and drop. They do not like pouring rains and storms, so stall watering plans in such circumstances.

Harvesting and Storing: Fruits are ready for harvest when just slightly soft and their skin is shiny and firm. Immature fruits will feel rock hard. If they mature too much, the skin color starts to dull or turn yellow, they lose all their tenderness and turn tough and bitter. Cut the fruits when they are ripe and tender before they are fully-grown, don’t tug or pull the fruits off the plant. The stems can be thick and prickly, so wear gloves and use gardening scissors. Continually harvest to keep the plants productive.

By AnjaliIn Growing Guides

Corn Growing Guide

July 7, 2023

Corn is believed to have been first domesticated in Mexico, and played a major role in Ancient Native American society. It is a member of the grass family, just like most cereals. Countless varieties of heirloom corn exist; many more have been lost over the years with genetically modified corn taking over the market.

There are three broad classifications of corn, based on their common usage:

Maize/Cereal Corn: Grown for flour or as a fodder crop. Comes in many colors. Harvested dry as a grain.

Sweet Corn: Grown to eat fresh and known for its sweetness.

Popcorn: Smaller cobs, and used to make popcorn. Comes in many colors and variations.

Sowing Style: Direct Sow. Do not transplant corn; the delicate roots cannot handle it. Broadcast or line sow in a furrow and thin as required.

Time to Sow: Can be sown in Monsoon, Early Autumn (warmer regions), and Summer. Corn cannot tolerate cold weather.

Plant Spacing: 1-2ft apart. You can plant in blocks as opposed to rows for better pollination. Each plant needs 1 square foot of space.

Good Companions: Sunflower, Beans, Cucumber, Potatoes, Peas, Pumpkin, Melons, Squash, Radish, Potato, Parsley, Lemon Balm, Dill, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage

Bad Companions: Tomato, Celery, Swiss Chard

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Corn is a heavy feeder; plants need a rich humus soil, which is moisture retentive and has plenty of organic matter. Add well-rotted compost to the corn bed and furrows before planting. Because corn matures all at once, succession plant every other week for 6 weeks to ensure a steady supply. Fertilize with compost just before planting and again 6 weeks later. Keep the newly sown rows weed free, but take care not to disturb the shallow roots. Earth up the soil around the stem bases as they grow in order to protect them from rocking in the wind and heavy rains. Mulch plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Corn is wind pollinated and will easily cross with other varieties (including GMO corn). Keep the crop safe from birds and rats. Dogs love corn too!

Irrigation: Water sweet corn well, especially while it is establishing and in summer. Generally corn can do well under drip or sprinkler irrigation. Plan the irrigation based on what companions you are planting them with. Maize and fodder corn is grown as a rain-fed crop in most parts of India, mostly sow during early monsoons, and harvested after the heavy rains stop.

Harvesting and Storing: Maize corn or Popcorn is ready when the husks have dried and turned brown; the kernels should be hard. Sweet corn is approaching maturity when silks have dried and turned brown. To judge ripeness, open husk and pop a kernel, the juice should be milky. If the juice is clear, it’s not ready. The sugar content in corn begins to decrease after harvest, so the fresher the corn, the better the flavor. Steady each stalk with one hand, then pull and slightly twist off the cob. Peel back the cobs papery outer sheath to reveal the kernels inside. If the kernels are unbalanced or the cob has too many gaps, there has been a problem in overall germination. The plant must have grown in an isolated manner or didn’t get enough wind to pollinate.

By AnjaliIn Growing Guides

Beans Growing Guide

July 7, 2023

A staple crop grown across the world for thousands of years, beans are high in protein and inexpensive to produce. Ancient Native Americans grew beans along with corn and squash in their famous 3 sisters gardens. They prefer growing in warmer weather and soils. Beans are legumes and a beneficial crop to grow because they return nitrogen back to the soil, and don’t demand much nutrition. Grown with good companion cropping patterns, they benefit other crops.

There are two broad classifications of beans, based on their growing patterns:

Pole Beans: They need trellis support to grow, but easy to harvest. Rajma, winged beans, long cowpea, asparagus bean, etc fall into this category. Most beans have foliage that can be supported by a simple wooden trellis. However, varieties with heavy foliage such as the Indian Broad Bean (la-lab/hyacinth) need a bulkier support structure to hold its foliage. Long beans are the best choice for hot climates; they can handle extreme heat. Bush Beans: Versatile and easy to grow, and they don’t need any support. They come is several colors and sizes as well. Soy beans, and other pulses such as moong, cowpea, masoor, etc. also grow in bushes.

Sowing Style: Direct sow outdoors on raised beds or flat areas (bush beans) or next to the trellis (pole beans). Beans are very easy to germinate. Keep in mind that they must have warm weather in order to germinate; cool weather will cause beans to rot in the soil.

Time to Sow: Sow during monsoons so they get a continuous supply of water during the growth phase. Some pole beans grow well when established in Autumn and long beans do well in hot weather. For a summer crop sow them at the tail end of winter when the earth starts warming up.

Plant Spacing: Bush Beans: 6in-1ft (rows 18in apart), Pole Beans: 1ft-2ft apart along the trellis.

Good Companions: Corn, Peas, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Marigold, Potatoes, Radish, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard

Bad Companions: Onion, Garlic, Chives, Shallots, Leeks, Beets, Peppers/Chilli, Broccoli

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Green Beans need full sun, warmth, shelter from wind, and light but fertile soil. Keep the bed well weeded and soil loose.

Irrigation: They need regular watering until they start drying out. Beans can do well under drip or sprinkler irrigation. Use drip irrigation to keep leaves dry and disease free. Plan the irrigation based on what companions you are planting the beans with, how the trellis is placed and how often they need water.

Harvesting and Storing: Continually harvest fresh eating beans that have tender pods to keep plants productive. Snap them off cleanly without pulling or tugging at the plant. Green Beans can be stored green in salt. Beans can be harvested when immature and used like green beans or left on the vine to dry to be used as dry beans such as Rajma, Moong, etc. To dry beans, you just let them ripen, hang the vines upside down in a shed or sundry them, and thresh them before you store them. Long beans should be harvested when beans reach 12-18 inches long. Soy beans are grown just like green beans and can be harvested when pods reach 2-3 inches long or have completely dried. Dried soybeans mature all at once.

By AnjaliIn Growing Guides

Calendula Growing Guide

July 7, 2023

All flowers have the uncanny ability to attract pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden and to put a smile on our faces, which is certainly worth a lot! Calendula is a profuse golden-yellow to deep-orange blossoms flower that can be picked over a period of 3-6 months. It has anti-inflammatory effects when it is used topically and it is also a potent antioxidant. Because of its antiviral and antibacterial qualities, it is also useful in treating minor wounds and abrasions. Also deters flies and mosquitos.

Sowing Style: Direct Sow. Broadcast or line sow as a hedge. Thin as required. You can also choose to transplant if you have less seeds.

Time to Sow: Monsoon, Autumn and Summer. Except for the cold months, the plants thrive in the sun.

Plant Spacing: 6-12”

Good Companions: Calendula is effective at deterring tomato hornworms, Mexican bean beetles, aphids, cabbage maggots and the asparagus beetle. Interplanting with pest-susceptible plants is the easiest way to deter unwanted critters.

Bad Companions: N/A

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Not a high-nutrition demanding crop. Pretty low maintenance once established. Give a round of compost during sowing and after a month of harvesting.

Irrigation: Both drip and sprinkler irrigation works well for calendula. Water them regularly on hot days.

Harvesting and Storing: Harvest every 3-5 days as soon as the plants start flowering. Fresh flowers can be seeped in oil and placed under the sun or moon for a few days to extract their medicinal properties, and then sieve them out. For dried calendula, harvest them when they are young with a lot of fresh petals and shade-dry them to preserve their medicinal value. No need to crush the flowers. Store them in an air-tight jar or packet. (Check for bugs in the flowers before seeping or drying them)

By AnjaliIn Growing Guides

Marigold Growing Guide

July 7, 2023

Orange compact flowers. A great pollinator and beneficial insect attractor. A must grow companion flower variety for your garden, because its known to fight root nematodes and other diseases in the soil – even when the flowers are not in bloom. If growing only for flowers, sow them 3 months before you would like start harvesting flowers.

Sowing Style: Transplant from seed trays at true leaf stage. Plant them in a row or spread them all around the garden – they can reach 2-3 feet height.

Time to Sow: Monsoon, Autumn and Summer. Easy to grow all around the year except in freezing conditions, and it requires 6-8 hours of sunlight. Sow them 3-4 months before your festivals or special occasions so that you can make best use of their harvests.

Plant Spacing: 12-18”

Good Companions: Beans, Borage, Broccoli, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gourds, Pumpkin & Squash, Potato, Tomato, Peppers, Watermelon, Apple Trees, Ginger, Turmeric.

Bad Companions: Cabbage

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Low maintenance crop. Mostly self-seeds. Does not need too much water or rich soil to grow.

Irrigation: Both drip and sprinkler irrigation works well. Does not need regular watering. Will do well with the other intercropped plants.

Harvesting and Storing: Harvest every few days as fresh flowers as soon as the plants start flowering. They can produce for 3-4 weeks. To make a liquid manure and pest repellant, collect a decent batch of fresh flowers and seep them in water for up to a month. Mix 1:10 with fresh water and spray near plants that have insect and root nematode issues.

By AnjaliIn Growing Guides

Lettuce Growing Guide

July 6, 2023

A very easy crop to grow that doesn’t demand too much soil nutrition, and needs basic watering. The right time to grow it is what is most important here. Lettuce either forms dense hearts that are cut whole, or open heads that are picked as loose leaves. Some have smooth leaves, others uneven edges, but all are grown in the same way. Very quick to grow, and can be harvested as individual leaves, cut-and-come again style, or as large crunchy or soft heads. Loose-leaf lettuces grow faster and have greater resistance to heat.

There are two broad types of lettuce varieties:
1. Head Lettuce (Iceberg, Romaine, Butterheads, etc.)
2. Leaf Lettuce (Loose leaf in many colors, shapes and textures)

Sowing Style: Transplanting is best for head lettuces. Loose-Leaf lettuce and mixes can be directly sown, but cover the area where you sowed the seeds with a light cloth or green net for a few days so they don’t dry out before germination. Gently water from above the covering for a few days. Take out the covering as soon as you see little seedling popping out.

Time to Sow: Late Monsoon when the flooding stage passes, Autumn is the best and most pleasant time, and early Winter. If the temperature crosses 35 degrees C during the day, there are high chances the lettuce will turn bitter and start bolting upwards.

Plant Spacing: Varies by variety. Refer to your seed packet or the product page for the spacing requirements. Lettuce has shallow roots and needs to be transplanted very carefully.

Good Companions: Cucumber, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Onions

Bad Companions: None

Soil and Cultivation Requirements:
Lettuce needs to grow quickly to be at its best, and will bolt if it lacks good soil or water. It needs a sunny or partially shaded site with good humus in the soil. Dark-leaf type lettuces are meant for cooler weather growing and will scorch in full sun, so give them a little shade. Use good compost during sowing, transplanting, and once between transplanting and harvest for good results.

Irrigation: Heading lettuces prefer drip irrigation because if moisture starts sitting in the folds of the leaves and does not dry out properly, it can cause rotting. Loose-leaf lettuces and mixes enjoy growing under sprinklers.

Harvesting and Storing:
Lettuce with heads/hearts are cut off at the base to avoid disturbing nearby plants, although single leaves can also be picked if that is preferred. If cut at the base, the heads/hearts tend to come again with continued irrigation, but will be of lower quality and taste. Loose-leaf lettuces can be harvested multiple times by cutting out the grown leaves at regular intervals. Lettuce cannot be stored for long after harvest, they start to wilt. If you harvest during a hot day, make sure you dip them in cool water and dry them in a cool shaded place before consuming, refrigerating, or shipping it locally.

By AnjaliIn Growing Guides

Cooking Greens – Indian – Growing Guide

July 6, 2023

SPINACH

Spinach is generally a cool weather crop and can bolt easily in the summer heat. Can be eaten raw (especially in young/baby stage), and cooked.

Sowing Style: Direct sow outdoors, 1cm deep in furrows and cover carefully with compost. Spinach is prone to bolting if it is transplanted. It’s a fast growing crop that is ready in 30-40 days. Sow every 10-15 days for a continuous crop.

Time to Sow: Autumn when the nights start getting cooler and all through Winter. If you would like to grow Spinach all year round, make sure you pick a partially shaded cooler area with good clayish soil and a good irrigation system.

Plant Spacing: 3-4” for harvesting young greens. Thin out the seedlings to 8-12” if you want big mature bunches.

Good Companions: Beets, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Eggplant, Garlic, Peas, Radish, Arugula, Squash, Strawberry

Bad Companions: None

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Spinach likes good soil that drains well but retains moisture. The leaves are prone to get tears in them if attacked by pests or birds. Cover the crop with plastic netting to protect the tender leaves in such a situation. When the soil lacks nutrition or there is too much crowding, the leaves tend to get spots on them. Use good compost during sowing, and once between the harvests.

Irrigation: Spinach prefers sprinkler irrigation. In dry weather, spinach requires diligent watering.

Harvesting and Storing: Harvest as a cut and come again crop until hot weather arrives. Pinch the leaves off so that you don’t disturb the roots by tugging at them. When harvesting the leaves, only take a few from each plant at a time to avoid sapping the plants strength. Spinach does not store for long and wilts very quickly, especially during sunny or dry days. Therefore fresh harvests and immediate consumption is recommended. If you harvest during a hot day, make sure you dip them in cool water and dry them in a cool shaded place before consuming, refrigerating, or shipping it locally.

MALABAR SPINACH: Belongs to a different family and grows as a perennial. It needs a permanent spot next to a trellis. Grows in all seasons and gives abundant spinach all through the year. Very low maintenance and does not demand high nutrition or regular irrigation.

AMARANTHUS AND CELOSIA

Overall, they are warm weather crops. Fills all the nutrition needs in the dry hot months and rainy season, when most green struggle to grow. Below notes are for growing this crops for their greens. They thrive in full sun and will grow to be 5 to 8 feet tall in ideal conditions. Once plants become well established, they will be able to out-compete weeds.

Sowing Style: Direct Sow. Broadcast or line sow in furrows. Thin as required.

Time to Sow: Monsoon and Summer is the best time. They have stunted growth and low germination in cooler months.

Plant Spacing: 3-8”.

Good Companions: Carrot, Radish, Beets, Potato, Onions, Corn, Pepper, Eggplant

Bad Companions: Tomatoes

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Easy to grow, these plants grow best in moist, well-drained soil, but they will tolerate poor soil quality and drought. Leaves are prone to get tears in them if attacked by pests or birds. Cover the crop with plastic netting to protect them.

Irrigation: Sprinkler irrigation works well for this crop. The crop does not demand much water and pretty low maintenance.

Harvesting and Storing: Pinch the greens and sub-stems from the bottom first, going upwards. Never cut off the top portion, because that will stop the plant from growing. Pull the plant out entirely if it’s coming to seed, so it doesn’t sap energy out of other plants. When harvesting the leaves and stems, only take a few from each plant at a time to avoid sapping the plants strength. They wilt quickly, so dip in cold water and dry them before storing or shipping.

GONGURA / AMBADI / ROSELLE

A versatile all season crop. They like warm weather and fill the nutrition needs in the dry hot months and rainy season, when most green struggle to grow. Will stay in your plot for a long time and make a beautiful hedge with red and white flowers. The leaves of a Red and Green Gongura plant are used as traditional food in Andhra, Telangana, and Maharashtrians cuisines in chutneys, pickles, dals and meat. Roselle on the other hand is from the same family, but produces beautiful large red calyxes, that are dried to make an antioxidant rich tea or other beverages. Mostly grown for the flowers.

Sowing Style: Direct Sow. Broadcast or line sow in furrows as a hedge. Thin as required. They need enough room to grow so find a spacious spot for them.

Time to Sow: Monsoon and Summer are best time to sow. Although we have seen them do well all year long.

Plant Spacing: 12-24”

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Easy to grow, these plants grow best in moist, well-drained soil, but they will tolerate poor soil quality and drought.

Irrigation: They can grow purely rain fed, except in summer. Sprinker irrigation will work for Gongura, however we suggest gentle soil watering or drip irrigation for Roselle since you are focusing on harvesting the calyxes.

Harvesting and Storing: Harvest the leaves and calyxes fresh from the plant. Never cut off the top portion, because that will stop the plant from growing. When harvesting the leaves and stems, only take a few from each plant at a time to avoid sapping the plants strength. The leaves wilt slowly and store well.

The Roselle clayxes need to be air dried well for 5-7 days and will store well in jars for a year.

METHI & CORIANDER

The essential winter greens. They thrive in cool weather and the winter sun. Too much heat makes them bolt and come to seed quickly. The best time to enjoy their rich foliage with minimum bitterness is in the autumn and winter months. If you plan to grow them in warmer months, make sure that you find a cool semi-shaded spot where the soil does not dry out easily.

Sowing Style: Direct Sow. Broadcast or line sow in furrows. Thin as required.

Time to Sow: Autumn and Winter months are the best time to sow them to enjoy their rich foliage with minimum bitterness. Sow they every 15-20 days for continuous harvest of greens.

Plant Spacing: 6-8”

Soil and Cultivation Requirements: Rich soil and a sunny well drained site. Use good compost during sowing, and after each harvest. The more nutrition you provide intermittently after harvests, the more foliage you will get.

Irrigation: Sprinkler irrigation is recommended. The plants need regular light watering during the day.

Harvesting and Storing:

Harvest twice or more times as a cut and come again. Pinch the leaves off so that you don’t disturb the roots by tugging at them. When harvesting the leaves, only take a few outer leaves from each plant at a time to avoid sapping the plants strength. Corriander can be harvested even after the flowers start showing up, but Methi tends to get bitter of you wait that long and need to be harvested much earlier. Fresh harvests and immediate consumption is recommended. If you harvest during a hot day, make sure you dip them in cool water and dry them in a cool shaded place before consuming, refrigerating, or shipping it locally.