grow garlic in containers \/\/ photo source: thompson and morgan <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nI have said this before — but I just love the smell of garlic. It just smells so good and it’s probably my favorite part when cooking something. Hah! \ud83d\ude42 Also, did you guys know that native garlic has a stronger flavor and you would only be needing a few garlic cloves to savor up any dish? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garlic typically grows best during the dry season – starting in November until May. You’re likely to grow smaller bulbs during the rainy days when you grow it during the rainy season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start with a few garlic cloves. Begin the process by sprouting the cloves indoors by arranging them – the pointed tip facing upwards in a small bowl or cup with enough water to moisten the lower tip of the cloves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After about 8 to 15 days, the cloves will start to germinate. Then, once you see that the sprouts are about 3 inches tall, they can now be transferred to container pots or directly to the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you choose to plant the garlic bulbs directly to the ground – they should be buried individually with the pointed tip facing upwards. And the depth should be around 1 inch from the surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing garlic in a container. <\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nFor those who wish to plant garlic in containers, choose a container with at least 10 inches in depth. The deeper the container, the better – because this will allow the roots and bulb to form properly and is likely to produce bigger bulbs. Place the plant in a location that gets full sun and use mixed sandy\/ loamy soil with lots of organic matter or compost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Give each garlic plant at least 4 inches of space between them. Water the soil once every other day. Also, make sure to use a well-draining soil to allow excess water to properly flow out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 5 to 6 months, the garlic bulbs should be ready for harvest. At this point, some of the outer leaves will turn brown or yellow – which means that they are ready to be harvested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the use of a plastic knife, soften the soil around the roots before you gently pull out the stalk. Then carefully pull out the bulb and don’t pull too hard or it might get snapped off. Give the newly harvested garlic to air dry for 2 weeks before using them for cooking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malunggay <\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\ngrow malunggay in containers \/\/ photo source: bayan ni Juan (facebook)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWho here loves a delicious tinolang manok and ginataang malunggay with kalabasa? These are just two of the many simple recipes you can cook with malunggay. Plus the malunggay plant can be grown in the city or countryside. You can find almost every household or one of your neighbors has a big tree of malunggay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The malunggay plant can grow up to 9 meters and is commonly used for food and medicine. It can be grown in two ways – direct seeding or stem planting. They grow best in sandy soil but will also grow in most well-drained soils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When planting a malunggay tree – make sure to plant it far from other plants or crops because they can be invasive and take all the nutrients from the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Planting a malunggay tree through direct seeding method – make sure that the soil is wet enough before scattering the seeds. Then insert the seeds one inch under the soil. Plant each malunggay seed one meter apart from the other when you plant more than one seed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The stem planting method is the most commonly used to plant a malunggay tree. It only requires healthy malunggay cuttings which are cut diagonally from the tree. Then these cuttings are planted directly to the soil. When planting more than one stem cutting, there should be a distance of 2.5 meters from each cutting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure that you plant the seed or the stem cuttings on clean and uncontaminated soil so that the leaves won’t have any trace of chemicals that could potentially harm those who will consume it. Other than that your malunggay tree should be fine. It’s known to survive in warm temperatures with direct sunlight and even little amounts of water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing malunggay in a container. <\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nA fully grown malunggay tree can be quite big, it can grow more than 20 feet. However, you have the option to grow them in containers when you have limited space. And expect that the harvest would be limited – most likely you can harvest once or twice a week, depending on the size of the pot. The ideal post should be at least a 7-gallon container, but the bigger the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you grow it from seed – cut off the top part by at least 1\/2 of the plant’s original size when it’s at least 3 feet tall already. If you grow it from a cutting, trim the new main branch by half when they reach 2 to 3 feet in length. Be sure to leave a few healthy branches at the bottom – this will encourage the branch to grow more in the sides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With regular trimming – the plant will be forced to grow more branches and leaves, rather than growing taller. Make sure to provide well-draining soil and water when the topsoil feels dry. The plant needs a minimum of 6-hour direct sunlight daily. And to encourage more growth in leaves – add a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer every 2 to 3 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calamansi <\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\ngorgeous calamansi fruits ready to be picked \/\/ photo source: pinoy negosyo <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe calamansi is a popular ingredient in a lot of Filipino dishes. It’s the equivalent of lemon in western cuisine – its sour juice is usually added to most of the meat marinate or to add flavor to home-cooked meals combined with soy sauce or fish sauce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also has many other uses – including being used as a treatment for insect bites and sore throat, removal of stains and odor in fabric materials, and even as whitening the skin in some areas of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing your own calamansi tree can be a very rewarding experience for home gardeners. And with proper care, it will continue to produce calamansi fruits year after year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing calamansi in a container. <\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe tree can grow up to 5 feet when grown in pots, and can even grow taller when planted on the ground. You should transplant the seedling into a large container pot from the start. The ideal container for a calamansi plant should have at least 18 inches in diameter opening and 24 inches in depth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a well-draining soil. When grown in a pot, the plant does not want to be soaked too much, or it may cause the roots to rot. Use a combination of sand and loamy soil, with lots of organic matter or compost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expose the plant to a lot of sunlight. For the plant to bear lots of fruits all year round, it should be exposed to direct sunlight at least 6 hours daily. Do not overwater – the plant will not thrive when the soil is too moist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pechay<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\ngrow pechay in upcycled containers \/\/ photo source: faith kristin omega via pinterest <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor those planning to plant pechay in their backyard or home garden, pick a spot that’s exposed to sunlight and is near the kitchen. Pechay plants need to get at least 4 hours of direct sunlight daily, for them to grow healthier and faster. Placing them near the kitchen would make it convenient for you to water the crops with rice wash or even meat\/ fish wash. These are actually good for the plants as they contain nutrients and minerals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construct a stand to elevate the pots – so you can maximize the use of space. Fill your pots with organic humus soil or compost. When you decide to plant through seeds – plant one seed in a small pot and two seeds in a bigger pot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you plant the pechay in containers<\/em><\/strong>, they do not grow as big as they would if they were planted in farm lots. But with a good soil mixed with compost, they can provide a good amount of harvest for the gardener. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThere are two ways to harvest pechay – first is to cut only the mature leaves around 1 to 2 inches from the root base. The plant will then grow new leaves which you can harvest again after a few weeks. The second option is to pull out the entire plant from the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note that pechay leaves are likely to be attacked by pests – the leaf miner and flea beetle. But you can deal with this by using common organic pesticides. You can buy from your local gardening shop or make your own solution – combine canola oil, dishwashing soap, and water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pechay or pak choy is a great starter plant for those looking to start home vegetable gardening. They thrive easily in the tropical setting and they will give you a big sense of fulfillment after every bountiful harvest. \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eggplant<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\ngrow eggplants in pots \/\/ photo source: grow-it-organically <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAnother favorite of mine – tortang talong! It never gets old ahhh! I swear it’s like a treat for me every time I have it. It’s just so good, right? And growing them in your vegetable garden can be a very rewarding thing. There are several types to choose from when it comes to eggplants – in size, shapes, and colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like tomatoes, eggplants are also hot weather plants. They grow during short and hot seasons. When choosing a location to place your eggplants, find a good spot with direct full sunlight – at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The soil should be fertile and well-drained. Eggplants thrive well in moist soil – water regularly and especially when they are young so that they develop deep roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When harvesting – wait until each eggplant is a mature size for its variety. But you can also pick those that are not yet fully mature. When eggplants are smaller, the fruits will be tender in texture and flavor. Don’t leave eggplants to stay on the plant past maturity because it will not retain its quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To harvest eggplants – use scissors or shears because pulling them off will cause you to damage the plant, the fruit of both. You can also only store them for about a week in the fridge, they don’t last long. It’s always best to eat them fresh so its quality is still good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing eggplants in containers<\/em><\/strong> – always pick out a large container that’s at least 24 inches in diameter and depth. The best time to plant them is during the summer and by the time summer ends – the plants will be old enough to produce. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAlso, trim away excess leaves and branches, leaving only 3 to 4 healthy main branches to allow the plants to focus on growing its flowers and fruits. To support the branches in their blooming stage – use stakes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chili\/ Siling Labuyo<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nsliling labuyo ripening \/\/ photo source: sheilas tropicals via pinterest <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTwo of my favorite sauces in the world – chili sauce from dimsum and sweet chili sauce! Ayayay! Lami kaayo when paired with different viands. Did you guys know that sili\/ chilis are actually good for you? In moderation, of course. They are high in vitamins A and C, and capsaicin – which aids in promoting vascular and metabolic health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fruits of the sili plant are also used as ingredients in soups, stews, and sauces. Aside from the chili and sweet chili, we typically add sili on our suka or patis for our grilled pork or any bbq sawsawan. What’s great about these hot goodness is that you can start growing them in your backyard. \ud83d\ude09 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Siling labuyo thrives best around an environment with 26 to 27 degrees celsius. For those who live in cooler places, bring the container inside the house. Make use of sandy loamy soil. You can plant these in cans and plastic bags, aside from containers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pot that’s 10 inches in height and 12 inches in diameter is advisable. Make sure you use well-draining soil. Provide partial shade when it’s still a seedling. Water regularly. And wait until the seedling hardens before exposure to sunlight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the sili plant is stable, they thrive best in sunlight. But it can also grow with partial shade. Fertilize with compost and apply water once a week or as needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 60 to 75 days from planting your plant will bear ripened sili fruits and will be ready for harvest. You Can also extract seeds from the red sili fruits. Air-dry them and sundry the seeds for 3 to 5 days. Place them in plastic bottles or clear bottles, seal, and store in a cool, dry place, or store in the fridge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alugbati<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nalugbati plants formed as vines \/\/ photo source: tri-n bulletin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAlugbati, also called vine spinach, is an edible leafy plant that’s very popular in the country. I love eating alugbati with garlic and oyster sauce as well. It’s very fast and easy to cook – and makes a great side dish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The alugbati plants thrive best in hot weather, so it’s a very ideal plant to grow. They prefer full sunlight and consistently moist soil. And you can choose between two methods to grow them – from seeds or from cuttings of an existing plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The alugbati plant thrives in soil that’s high in organic matter. Compost improves the soil moisture retention and drainage which helps in creating loamy soil that the vine spinach prefers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Planting alugbati from cuttings.<\/em><\/strong> Take 8 to 10-inch cuttings from a healthy alugbati plant then soak them in water overnight. You can plant the cuttings in rows or hills. For cuttings in hills – put 3 or 4 cuttings in each hill; 6 to 8 inches apart. For cuttings in rows – cuttings should be 8 inches apart and row 8 to 12 inches apart. Water the cuttings right away and continue to keep the soil moist. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPlanting alugbati from seed.<\/em><\/strong> Scarify the seeds by using a knife to cut the outer seed coat. Then plant the seeds directly outside – about 1\/4 inches deep in rows that are 8 inches apart. Keep the soil moist. <\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can harvest individual leaves from your alugbati plant as they mature and reach full size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
READ: FREE eLibrary for learners brought to us by Globe and DepEd<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nInformation <\/h1>\n\n\n\n For those who would like to get a hold of the free seeds and seedlings, you may visit the Mandaue City Agriculture Office. The office is open from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Department of Agriculture compound across Pacific Mall Mandaue. Visit the Mandaue City Public Information Office for more information and if you have any inquiries. When you visit their office, please wear a mask and observe social distancing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may also buy seeds from your local garden shops or one thing I\u2019ve done when buying plants is to check Facebook Marketplace. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll find some seeds for sale in there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We hope this article will help you out in starting your very own vegetable garden at home. Stay safe! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
photo source: https:\/\/containergardening.wordpress.com\/ Our country’s present situation with this coronavirus outbreak, this national crisis has led the Filipinos, as well as the rest of the world, into this realization of the importance of food sustainability. We are now realizing how we should have been practicing home gardening even before this crisis. And even though the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":14233,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[478,543],"tags":[2837,2838],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Grow your own food \u2013 Vegetables that are easy to grow at home<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n