Radish is a root vegetable that is consumed all over the world. It contains lots of antioxidants and minerals such as calcium and potassium. There are several varieties of radish, most varieties can be harvested within 4 weeks. Daikon or winter radish takes about6 to 7 weeks to mature. This vegetable germinates soon and it is easy to plant radish especially if you are a beginner. Growing conditions for radish Radish is a cool weather crop. Planting radish during summers when the temperatures are high can result in bolting. The best time to plant radish is during Spring and Fall. The optimum temperature needed is between 18°C-29° C (64°F- 84°F).…

Eggplant or brinjal is a vegetable that belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is related to other vegetables like potato, tomato and chilly. Eggplant is a tropical perennial that can grow up to 4 feet. Although eggplant has fewer nutrients it contains average levels of manganese and consuming eggplant can have certain health benefits. Growing conditions for eggplant Eggplant is easy to grow in tropical and subtropical regions. It grows well in hot weather conditions. It needs lots of space to grow so choose a big container to grow them. A container that is at least 12 to 14 inches deep and wide is needed to grow this vegetable. The…

Fava beans or Broad beans is a flowering plant that belongs to the bean family Fabaceae. Fava beans are legumes, and they help fix nitrogen in the soil. So, It is also grown as a cover crop. Broad beans contain high levels of essential nutrients and minerals like Manganese, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Iron. Here is how to grow Fava beans in your garden. Growing Conditions for fava beans Fava beans are grown during the Spring and summer seasons. The germination temperature is 20°C to 30 °C (68°F – 86°F). It can grow in soil that is fertile and well-drained. How to grow fava beans from seeds in containers Pests and…

Soybeans or Soya-beans are legumes grown for their nutritious bean. It is native to East Asia and a lot of products can be made from these beans. Some of the products include Milk, Tofu, Soy sauce and Bean paste. Soybeans are high in proteins, vitamins and minerals. Soybeans are not frost-tolerant, they should be grown during the warm summer months. The optimum temperature needed for Soybeans to grow is between21° C to 25°C (70°F to 77°F). Soybeans help to fix nitrogen in the soil and are grown as cover crops. They are also grown as companion plants. How to grow soybeans in pots Pests and Diseases Some of the pests…

Okra or lady’s finger is a flowering plant that is cultivated all year round in tropical climates. It is a drought-tolerant vegetable but not frost-tolerant. It is easy to grow okra from seeds. Growing conditions for okra You can grow okra in Sandy and Loamy soils. The minimum temperature needed for okra to grow is between 20 to 26°C (68°F to 80°F). You can start seeds indoors and transplant them when they grow 6 inches tall or you can sow the seeds directly in the containers. If you are starting seeds indoors then sow the seeds 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date. Take a seed tray and…

Hot pepper plants or Chillies are commonly used as a spice to flavour dishes. They are easy to grow in containers and you can get lots of them from a single plant. They can be grown easily when you plant them at the right temperature and soil conditions. Hot pepper plants grow well when the weather is warm and dry. The optimum temperature needed is between 20 to 28° C (68 to 82 °F). These plants grow well in all types of soil that are well drained and well aerated. It does not grow well in acidic soil. How to grow hot peppers from seed in containers Step 1 You…

Bitter melon or Bitter gourd is a tropical vine that belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. There are several varieties of bitter melon that vary in shape and size. This vegetable grows up to 5 feet. It grows in a warm and humid climate. It is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Folate. It contains small amounts of Potassium, Magnesium and Zinc. Growing Conditions for bitter melon It is easy to grow bitter melon in containers. It is best to sow the seeds directly in the containers as transplanting the seedlings from the seed tray can harm them. You will need a container that is at least 16 inches deep.…

Spinach is a leafy green plant that belongs to Amarathus family. There are several varieties of spinach plants and they differ in appearance. Most of them have oval-shaped leaves. There are large leaves at the base of the stem and smaller leaves at the top.Its leaves are edible and it can be either cooked or eaten raw. Spinach plants grow up to 1 foot. It has high levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Magnesium, Manganese, Iron and Folate.It is easy to grow spinach in your home. You can grow organic, healthy spinach in your garden. Here is how to grow spinach from seeds in pots. Growing Conditions for…