Herb gardening is a great way to add some unique flavors and textures to your meals. New World herbs like epazote, culantro, guarana, and Brazilian ginseng can really bring your garden to life! These herbs are easy to grow, and each one has its own unique flavor and aroma that will add something special to your dishes.
With a few simple steps, you can have a beautiful herb garden that you can be proud of. So why not get started today and expand your herb garden with a few New World herbs?
Epazote
Epazote is an herb originating from the New World and it has a unique flavor and smell. It can be planted in your herb garden with ease and grows quickly.
Simply prepare a soil with high organic matter, water it consistently, and place the seeds in a sunny spot, and you’ll have a fresh batch of epazote ready to harvest in no time! When it comes to harvesting, you’ll want to wait for the leaves to become a deep green and to have a strong smell. That’s when you’ll know it’s ready to be picked!
How to Grow Epazote
Epazote is a fantastic herb to plant in your garden. It’s easy to grow and adds a unique flavour to your meals. To get started, find a spot in your garden that gets plenty of sun and has well-draining soil.
Prepare the soil by mixing in some organic compost and fertilizer.
Plant the seeds and water them well. Make sure to water your epazote regularly and keep the soil moist. If you live in a rainy area, you can put a tarp over the plants to protect them from too much rain.
Pinch off any flower buds to encourage the plant to focus on producing leaves. Harvest your epazote when the leaves are bright green and fragrant. Enjoy the unique flavour it will add to your dishes!
Culantro
Culantro is a great addition to your herb garden. It tastes similar to cilantro, but has a stronger, more intense flavor. It’s surprisingly easy to grow.
All you need is a sunny spot in your garden and well-draining soil, and you can get culantro up and running in no time. And if you’re looking for a unique flavor, this is the herb for you.
When it comes to harvesting the culantro, you can start picking leaves when the plant is about 6-10 inches tall.
Make sure you don’t pick all the leaves, though, as this will stunt the growth of the plant. You should also keep the area around the plant weed-free, as weeds can hinder growth and cause your herb to be less flavorful.
When it comes to storing culantro, you should wrap the leaves in a paper towel and place them in a sealed plastic bag. This will keep the leaves fresh for up to a week or more.
You can also freeze the leaves for later use, which is a great way to preserve the flavor of the herb. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and plant some culantro today!
How to Grow Culantro
Culantro is a wonderful New World herb that gives a unique flavor to your dishes. Its growth is easy – just give it part shade and some moist soil, and you will have a flourishing herb garden in no time!
Make sure to buy fresh culantro plants from your local nursery to get the best results, as it can be tough to grow from seed. In order to ensure a steady yield, you should sow the seeds in intervals of two weeks. When it comes to harvesting, wait until the leaves are around six inches in length before cutting them off at their base.
After you are done harvesting, make sure to give the plant a little bit of fertilizer or compost to encourage new growth. With a bit of care, you can expect to have a steady supply of flavorful culantro for your culinary enjoyment!
Guarana
Guarana is native to the Amazonian rainforest, and is an excellent addition to any herb garden. It’s a climbing shrub, and needs a trellis or something similar to grow on.
It can be propagated from cuttings, and requires warm and humid conditions to thrive. Soil should be moist and well-draining, and watering should be done regularly. Guarana prefers a sunny spot in the garden, so make sure you find one for it to get the most out of it.
Guarana can be harvested when the seeds are ripe, usually in the summertime. The seeds are rich in caffeine, so you can use them for teas, smoothies and other drinks. It’s also a great source of antioxidants and vitamins, making it an ideal choice for your herb garden.
How to Grow Guarana
Growing guarana requires a warm climate and plenty of moisture in the soil. For the best results, prepare the soil by digging in a generous amount of organic matter.
Plant your guarana seeds in the spring, about 4 inches apart. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
As the plants mature, they will need to be staked in order to protect them from wind damage. Make sure to keep them away from other plants as they can be invasive and can take over a garden.
Fertilizing your guarana is important for ensuring healthy growth. Feed your guarana every 6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer. Make sure to water the fertilizer into the soil to ensure the best absorption.
Prune your guarana plants regularly to encourage new growth. This will help keep the plants healthy and productive.
Harvest your guarana when the pods are green and just starting to crack open. The seeds inside are the most valuable part of the plant and should be planted as soon as possible in order to ensure the best growth.
If you’re looking for a unique addition to your herb garden, guarana is a great choice! With a little bit of care and attention, you can enjoy the rewards of your own guarana harvest.
Brazilian Ginseng
Brazilian ginseng, also known as jaborandi, is a unique herb that should be in your garden. It has a long history of being used to treat a variety of conditions, and its leaves are often used to flavor teas and wines.
Growing Brazilian ginseng is relatively easy and simple. You will need to make sure it is planted in a sunny location and watered regularly. This herb prefers a soil that is slightly acidic and rich in organic matter.
It is best to fertilize the plant a few times a year to ensure optimal growth.
When harvesting Brazilian ginseng, do not pick the leaves too soon or too late. Wait for the leaves to be fully grown before picking them.
You can harvest the leaves either by hand or with a pair of scissors. Make sure to leave some of the leaves on the plant so that it can continue to grow.
If you want to use Brazilian ginseng for medicinal purposes, you should dry the leaves before using them. The leaves can be dried in the sun or in a dehydrator. Once the leaves are dry, you can grind them into a powder for use in teas, tinctures, and other types of herbal remedies. With proper care, you can enjoy the benefits of Brazilian ginseng in your garden.
How to Grow Brazilian Ginseng
Brazilian ginseng, also known as jatoba, is an easy herb to grow. It’s a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, from full shade to full sun.
To get started, you’ll need to find a spot in your garden that gets plenty of sun and has well-draining soil. Once you’ve got the right spot, you’ll need to prep your soil. Mix in some compost and aged manure to give it that extra boost.
Once your soil is ready, you can start planting the ginseng. Plant the seeds about 2 cm deep and make sure to keep them moist.
It may take a while for the ginseng to sprout, but don’t give up. Once it does, you can start harvesting the leaves once they reach 4-6 inches in length. Enjoy your Brazilian ginseng!