With the high costs of food and Hawaii’s dependence on the mainland for a large percentage of what we eat, we need to think about growing our own food.
I had the pleasure of having Dr. Russell Nagata, retired horticulturist, on my TV show on Na Leo TV. He currently works with interested parties who want to garden in containers. The advantages of container gardening are:
• They’re great for limited space, apartment and condominium living, and even in patios.
• They can thrive in containers even in areas where there are poor soil conditions.
Russell brought with him a container of thyme and another of green onions, with many more pots of herbs at home. He uses many of his herbs to season his dishes when cooking.
Larger containers are needed for vegetables requiring more root space such as cucumber, eggplant, daikon, soybeans, ginger, taro, squash, rosemary, ung choy and pepper. These plants, according to CTAHR, need to be in 3- to 5-gallon buckets (or larger) with holes drilled in the bottom for good drainage.
Medium-sized plants, such as green onions, lettuce, spinach, basil, beans and mint can be placed in 2-1/2-gallon containers, and small containers are great for chives, mizuna and parsley.
Many of these vegetables, such as green onions and chives, can be cut and will regrow.
Once you add potting soil into your container, you can top it with more potting soil when you replant and do not need to refill the container. You probably will get your money’s worth off the purchase of the container and potting soil after the first crop of vegetables you harvest and eat.
Fertilize once a week with Miracle-Gro or scatter with time-release fertilizer. Water as needed and you will reap the rewards of your container garden.
I love basil pesto and growing basil, so it seems quite logical for me to raise them in pots. Russell said when there are two leaves, you can clip it and replant it so you can have many plants. For a recipe of pesto needing 5 cups of leaves, you will need at least 6 hardy plants.
This recipe for basil pesto takes 10 minutes to make, just about the same time that it takes to boil a package of pasta. All you need is a food processor.
Note: If you are having basil pesto pasta, start boiling and water and place the pasta in the boiling water before starting the pesto. Cook the pasta al dente. If you are not using the pesto right away, store it in a jar and add olive oil to the surface to preserve the color and flavor.
Basil Pesto
Makes 1 cup
1/4 cup pine or macadamia nuts
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 cloves garlic, pressed
5 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and blend until the mixture is well mixed. Spoon the pesto on the hot pasta, using pasta water to dilute the sauce, if needed.
Basil has many health benefits, including being good for immunity, and having anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
My daughter-in-law just planted some rosemary plants in several pots. Rosemary is rich in carnosol, which inhibits the formation of the carcinogen compound heterocyclic aromatic amines, a compound created when grilling meat. Rosemary also staves off bacterial infections. There are recent studies indicating that simply smelling rosemary can improve memory. Rosemary also prevents beta-amyloid plaques and acetylcholinesterase, keeping some of the primary causes of Alzheimer’s and dementia from forming. Smelling rosemary also has a calming effect on those suffering from chronic anxiety or depression.
Sage is another easy herb to grow and has more than 150 distinct polyphenols, or plant-based antioxidant compounds. Studies show sage has antimicrobial properties, anti-diabetic properties, anti-allergy properties, anti-inflammatory properties, and liver and kidney protective agents. Sage also reduces menopause symptoms and lowers cholesterol.
Russell brought a container of thyme that he had planted a few weeks ago. It contains thymol, which is used in Listerine mouthwash, Vicks VapoRub, and even in soaps due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Thymol is also used in toothpaste, as it kills germs that cause bad breath, protects gums and prevents tooth decay.
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Here is a recipe for vegetables with thyme.
Thyme Sauteed Zucchini
1 tablespoon olive or grapeseed oil
1 pound medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and halved
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 vegetable bouillon cube, crushed
2 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, onion and bouillon; cook and stir 5 minutes or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Sprinkle with herbs.
Another great herb to grow is oregano. It has antibacterial properties and can help destroy 41 strains of food pathogens. Studies show oregano may contain compounds that may have the potential to manage type 2 diabetes.
So what are you waiting for? Start a small garden to start with some healthy herbs that you can add in your cooking.
Email Audrey Wilson at audreywilson808@gmail.com.