13 Easy Plants To Kickstart Your Edible Garden This Year
Grow your own groceries!
By Lailazee - 08 Jan 2024, 06:38 AM
1. Kaffir lime
With aromatic leaves and distinctive fruit, kaffir lime adds a burst of citrusy freshness to your cooking. It can also be used for medicinal purposes.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water regularly, and provide partial shade. Prune to encourage bushiness.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: 2-3 years for fruit production; leaves can be harvested earlier.
Image via iNaturalist
2. Pandan
Pandan, with its long, blade-like leaves, is a versatile plant that can be used in desserts, rice dishes, and beverages, imparting a sweet and aromatic flavour.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water consistently, and provide indirect sunlight. Harvest leaves as needed.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
Time to produce: 1-2 years for regular leaf harvest.
Image via Cape Gazette
3. Lemongrass
Known for its strong citrus flavour, lemongrass is a must-have. It adds a refreshing touch to soups, curries, and beverages.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water regularly, and place in a sunny location. Divide clumps for optimal growth.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: 3-4 months from planting; can be harvested continuously.
Image via Greenovations
4. Thai basil
Thai basil, with its distinct purple stems and anise-like flavour, adds depth to dishes like laksa and stir-fries.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water consistently, and provide full sunlight. Pinch off flower buds for prolonged leaf production.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: 2-3 months from planting; continuous harvesting promotes growth.
Image via Sweet Top Farm
5. Turmeric
Turmeric, with its vibrant golden hue, is used in curries, spice blends, and as a natural dye. It goes great with chicken, fried fish, cabbage, tempeh, tofu, and more!
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water regularly, and provide filtered sunlight. Harvest rhizomes when mature.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time to produce: 8-10 months from planting for rhizome harvest.
Image via Gardening Sun
6. Chilli
There are so many types of chillies, try growing various varieties so you can have a range of spice levels to choose from.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water consistently, and provide full sunlight. Support plants with stakes as they grow.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: 2-3 months from planting; continuous harvesting encourages more chillies.
Image via Daun
7. Papaya
Papaya trees not only provide delicious fruit, but also tender leaves that can be used in a variety of dishes.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water deeply, and provide full sunlight. Prune regularly to encourage fruit production.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: For grown trees, it takes 6-9 months for fruit production; continuous fruiting after the first harvest.
Image via Carousell
8. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is typically served in drinks or desserts, however it is important to note that you should not cook it directly from the plant. While the gel inside the leaves is commonly used for various topical applications, it's important to note that the outer leaf contains a substance called aloin, which can have laxative effects and might be harmful when ingested in large quantities.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water sparingly, and provide bright, indirect sunlight. Harvest outer leaves for gel extraction.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: 4-6 months for mature leaves suitable for harvest, depending on size of plant.
Image via Feey/Unsplash
9. Mint
Fresh mint is great as a garnish for a variety of dishes and drinks, offering a distinct coolness to the palate.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water consistently, and provide partial shade. Pinch off the tips to encourage bushy growth.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: 2-3 months from planting; regular pruning encourages bushy growth.
Image via Eleanor Chen/Unsplash
10. Curry leaf
Curry leaves are a staple in our cuisine, they're definitely a must-have for all spicy chefs. 😉
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, water regularly, and provide full sunlight. Harvest leaves as needed for cooking.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
Time to produce: 1-2 years from planting for regular leaf harvest.
Image via Gardener's Path
11. Kangkung
Kangkung, also known as water spinach or morning glory, is a leafy green that is delicious to stir-fry or add in soups.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, keep the soil consistently moist, and provide partial to full sunlight. Regular harvesting encourages new growth.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: 4-6 weeks from planting; continuous harvesting encourages new growth.
Image via Kompas
12. Choy sum
Choy sum is a quick-growing vegetable, which adds a delightful crunch to stir-fries and soups.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, keep the soil consistently moist, and provide partial sunlight. Harvest before flowering for optimal tenderness and flavour.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: 4-6 weeks from planting; harvesting can begin when plants reach desired size.
Image via V87 Garden (YouTube)
13. Bok choy
Image via DIYS
Bok choy is a member of the cabbage family and is incredibly easy to grow. Plus, it tastes yummy when stir-fried or added to soups.
Care instructions: Plant in well-draining soil, keep the soil consistently moist, and provide partial to full sunlight. Harvest outer leaves as the plant matures.
Difficulty level: Easy
Time to produce: Approximately 4-6 weeks from planting to harvesting.
