by Ruth Gulley
The citrusy aroma and flavor of lemongrass , alongside its pestilence - repelling attribute , make it a wonderful addition to any garden or yard . Lemongrass is an eye - catching and unequalled increase to any garden , so passersby or your gardening buddies are certain to be impressed . Plus , it ’s not very hard to uprise or peculiarly prone to disease or infestation . Let ’s get started .
Growing Conditions for Lemongrass
Lemongrass is native to the tropic and semitropical region of South Asia , Australia , and Africa , so it add up as no surprise that it takes its environment with a dollop of oestrus and a generous splash of … you reckon it , water . Lemongrass is not a fan of rimy weather , so if you live in a climate that gets inhuman , use a container if you plan to enjoy your lemongrass oil year - around . It like moist but well - drain soil , quite a little of sunlight , and mellow humidity levels .
Planting Lemongrass
What ’s the most common manner for a dwelling gardener to get in on a nice harvest of lemongrass ? Take a few healthy stalks buy from the grocery storage , and place them in a methamphetamine hydrochloride with about an inch of water in it . Change the water daily or every other day . In a few weeks , roots should reach one to two column inch in length . At this point , found the stalks in your garden ( after all chance of frost has passed ) or in agarden container .
But that ’s not your only pick . citizenry have also been successful plant the stalk directly into dirt , buying a started plant at a nursery , and even starting lemongrass from seed . In all cases , lemongrass require mickle of water and a warm environment to really get going . Once the plant do get going , they will spread on their own and begin to shape large clumps of tall grass , which can eventually be harvest or just enjoyed as a fragrant landscaping feature of speech .
Care of Lemongrass
Because lemongrass oil does not do well in dusty weather and because it is ego - spread , many people will find that container planting is the ripe selection . If you are capable to work your lemongrass oil indoors during wintertime calendar month , the industrial plant could last you multiple years . And while it ’s not exactly invasive like a destiny of grasses are , it can still crowd other plants ’ ascendent organization . If you live in an environment with small to no frost in the winter and if you do n’t intend to embed the lemongrass near other plants , you’re able to sure get away with growing it in the ground .
While your soil should drain well , you also do not require to permit the beginning of your lemongrass oil get dry out out . Water often in the spring and summertime , and use a less heavy hand with the garden hose or watering can in the wintertime . Use a spray nursing bottle to create humidity if you do not dwell in a humid climate .
Finally , lemongrass does best in a N - deep soil . There are tons of inexpensive , resourceful ways to amend your territory without chemical substance fertilizer . Check them out in these Gardening Channel articles onnatural fertilizing methods .
Harvesting Lemongrass
Once the lemongrass oil flora is at least a foot tall , you may begin harvesting the leaf . merely cut off as much of the green part of the plant as you ’d care to use . Lemongrass leaves do n’t dry out or freeze particularly well , so it ’s best to use it fresh . The tops are quite tough , but they can be steeped to flavor tea , soups , curries , and rice . you may also crush the leaves with your finger to unfreeze their mosquito - repelling oil .
To glean the whole stalk , you ’ll want to expect until the base width is at least half an inch dense . Once it reach that point , either thin out it off just above the dirt or pull it up from the floor . Harvest from the outer edge of the plant so it can continue to propagate . The leaf closer to the base are more tender than leaves harvested from the top of the plant . The most normally used part of the plant is in reality its white core , which you could get to by peeling forth the outer layers of the stalk . you may grate or finely chop it to utilise in cooking . It also freezes much better than the leaf , so you may harvest a fortune of it at a time .
Common Pests and Diseases for Lemongrass
Lemongrass is not particularly prostrate to many diseases or pests , but a relatively usual issue is “ rust . ” This is a fungous disease qualify by the browning , wilting , and destruction of stalks and the whole plant if it ’s not controlled . That mean as soon as you see the signs of rusting , it ’s time to take action . To manage the trouble , remove septic portion of the industrial plant , annul overhead watering , and promote agile outgrowth by providing your plant life with peck of nutrient .
Want to learn more about growing lemongrass?
chat these imagination : Verticla Veg in UK covers How to rise Lemon Grass in container
The Prairie Homestead comprehend Lemongrass – How to Grow It and utilise It
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Plant Care Today covers Lemongrass Plant : How To Care For Lemon Grass
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National Horticulture Board covers Lemon Grass
SF Gate compensate How to Germinate and maturate Lemongrass
Plant Village cover Lemon Grass
