Best tips for growing Radish / Raphanus sativus

Radish (Raphanus sativus) is a hardy cool season crop known for the pungent flavor it adds to salad and dishes.  Root is its edible part and it belongs to same family as cabbage and cauliflower belong. Radish crop can be harvested within a month of sowing seeds so one can harvest multiple crops by sowing seeds every week. Radish can be used as intercrop along with spinach, coriander etc too but do not plant it with any cole crop like cabbage, cauliflower.It is called as 'mooli' in Hindi.

Propagation

Radish is propagated from seeds. Prepare soil bed by removing weeds, stones and gravels which hamper root’s growth in to the ground. Mix a good quality farm yard manure or garden compost to the soil. Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart. Keep at least 12 inches spacing between two rows to encourage good growth. Water the soil instantly and keep it moist. Seeds sprout within a week.

Container

If you are short of space and want to grow radish in containers then size of container is important as long radish (generally grown in India) can be up to 12 inches / 1 foot long. So use large containers for them. Round red variety radish can be grown in medium sized container.  Put small brick or stone pieces on drainage holes.

Soil

Radish grows in any type of well drained and loose soil. Till the soil to depth of 6-8 inches to make it loose and more suitable for growing radish. Add a layer of farmyard manure or garden compost to enrich it with organic matter. 

Sun/Temperature

Radish grows in full sun. It requires minimum 4-5 hours of direct sun light. Afternoon shade is beneficial for the plant.

Watering

Radish needs regular watering. Keep the soil moist. In dry soil conditions, radish tends to bolt and tastes bitter (too pungent).  But do not over do the watering otherwise root will rot and split. 

Fertilizer

Radish doesn’t have much feeding requirement. A good quality garden compost or farm yard manure like cow dung works well. If you want to use fertilizer then use anything but nitrogen based as it promotes foliage growth not roots.

Harvesting

Harvesting time is important factor in growing radish. If you leave radish in ground for too long then it becomes inedible. Generally crop can be harvested from 3^rd week of sowing seeds.  Mature radish can be identified by large leaves above the ground on 2-3 cm wide top. Pull the mature radish out of the ground and cut off the lush green top. Store the harvested crop in refrigerator and use within a week. In order to save seeds for next season leave the radish in the ground and let it flower and fruit.

Check out tips for growing potato at home.

A visit to UNESCO world heritage site - Qutub Complex, India and its Mughal garden

Recently team DesignGreenIndia was at a UNESCO world heritage site – Qutub complex, New Delhi. Qutub complex is worldly famous for housing Qutub Minar, a brick minaret built in 1192 AD during mughal era in India. Qutub Minar was built by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak to mark victory of Mohammed Ghori over Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan. 72.5 m tall Qutub Minar is counted amongst world’s tallest minarets. 

Other structures at Qutub complex include tombs, madarsas (educational institutes), Jain temple ruins and a mughal garden.

 

Mughal garden at Qutub complex is easily distinguished due to its trademark Persian style design. Mughals’ idea of garden is based on description of heaven in Quran which is ultimate place of peace and pleasure filled with birds, fruit trees, fragrant flowers, water and shade. Four quadrants, canals, fountain and pool are typical features of a mughal or mogul garden. Taj Mahal, Mehatab Bagh, Humayun’s tomb are some famous mughal gardens in India. 

However mughal garden at Qutub complex is not much big and celebrated but it is noteworthy as Qutub complex marks the arrival of Mughal architecture in India.

Have a look on Ranthambhore National Park, India.

Best tips for growing Cilantro / Coriander / Dhania at home

Coriander/ Cilantro(Coriandrum sativum) is a popular culinary herb. Known as ‘Dhania’ (India) , Chinese parsley , Cilantro can be grown in small pots or containers with ease. Related to umbelaece family, cilantro grows, flowers and fruits within a short period of time. Seeds formed on maturation can be stored and used for next cycle of crop. It is very important to harvest the cilantro leaves on right time otherwise it would become tasteless. Try following tips for success.

Propagation

Cilantro is propagated from seeds. You can get seeds easily from market or order them online. Each cilantro fruit contains 2 seeds so you can separate them and sow as two seeds. Sow seeds 3-4 inches apart and 1/2 inch deep in to the soil. This way chance of germination also increases. It will take around 14-15 days to seeds sprout so be patient. Maintain at least 6-8 inches space between two seeds otherwise it will be overcrowded and invite pests and diseases. 

Container

Prefer a tray as a container because it gives you more sowing area compare to regular round pot or container. Planting tray should have adequate number of drainage holes to ensure smooth passage of water out of it otherwise chances of root rot increase. Put pieces of bricks or small stones on drainage holes to help with drainage.

Soil

Cilantro grows in any type of well drained soil. Loamy soil is ideal for cilantro. Add a layer of garden compost to enrich soil in nutrients.

Sun/Temperature

Place your container in a bright, direct sunlight location. Afternoon shade is also beneficial. Cilantro is a cool season crop which grows well in cool temperature. In summer or high temperature it tends to bolt means it will flower and fruit prematurely without any significant growth on foliage (leaves) which are harvested.

Watering

Take extra care while watering cilantro seedlings as they drown when water is poured directly on to the soil. Use sprayer to water the young seedlings.  Keep soil moist but do not over water it. 

Fertilizer

Feed cilantro with nitrogen based liquid fertilizer as it will help in increasing foliage on the plant. 

Harvesting

Cut off leaves and stems when the plant is at least 6 inches tall. But do not cut more than one third leaves at a time as it can make the plant weak. A cilantro plant can be harvested 3-4 times. If you want to harvest seeds then let the plant flower and fruit. Its fruit is yellow to brown in color and contains 2 seeds. These seeds falls on to the soil and can germinate on their own. So it depends on you whether you harvest seeds or let them germinate for next cycle of crop. 

Read tips of growing Holy basil at home.

Best Tips for Growing Zinnia at Home

Zinnia is one of easily grown annual known for its beautiful and colored flowers. Zinnia’s blooms are daisy like flower heads. The plant is grown directly from seeds and grows up to 4 feet.  Follow the below tips for growing Zinnia successfully at home.

Propagation

Zinnia is propagated from seeds. Sow the seeds anytime in late April to May in warm environment. Spread soil over the seeds such that it covers the seeds partially as Zinnia seeds need light to germinate. Moist the soil and cover the pot / container with plastic bag to maintain humidity level around seeds. Seeds should sprout within a week. 

Container

Use medium sized container with adequate number of drainage holes as Zinnia doesn’t like to stand in water. Put rocks or brick pieces on drainage holes to ensure smoother water drainage out of container.

Soil

The best thing about Zinnia is that it can be grown into any type of soil. Soil can be sandy, loamy anything. But it should be well drained. Add leaves mold, compost to the soil for better results.

Sun/ Temperature

Zinnia loves sun. They thrives in full direct sun with some afternoon shade.

Watering

Keep the soil always moist. It is always good to water plant in morning as it allows the sun to dry the soil and leaves preventing any infection or disease.

Fertilizer

Use normal purpose liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength or granular slow releasing fertilizer.

Caring

Deadheading (clipping dead flowers ) is recommended to encourage blooming. If taller varieties start to bend then use a stake to give the plant support.

Zinnia doesn’t have any major insect problem, however it is susceptible to mildew causing foliage to discolor. It happens due to wet and high humid condition so avoid over watering the plant.
Also check for Botrytis blight, a gray mold which attacks flower bud and leaves. Removing those affected parts is only measure for controlling this fungus. A good air circulation also helps controlling it.