From Garden To Table: Your Ultimate Guide To Growing Lemongrass In Your Backyard

Lemongrass, celebrated for its zesty flavour and citrusy fragrance, is a staple in Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. Despite being a herb, it's not a common resident in herb gardens, even though it's surprisingly easy to cultivate. Originally hailing from the tropical regions of Sri Lanka and South India, lemongrass thrives in consistent warmth. During colder weather, it's advisable to move them indoors or into a greenhouse. If you're interested in learning how to grow lemongrass, you've come to the right place. We've compiled essential tips to help you incorporate this fragrant herb into your herb garden.

1. Choose The Correct Location To Grow Lemongrass

Selecting the right location is crucial for successfully growing lemongrass (lemongrass tea). Opt for a sunlit spot receiving no less than 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day, as this tropical plant thrives in warmth and abundant light. Ensure that the soil is adequately draining, leaning towards a slightly acidic to neutral pH, and enhance drainage by incorporating compost or sand if required. Shield the lemongrass from potent winds to prevent potential damage. Allocate enough room for its growth, considering that it can attain heights exceeding 3-6 feet. Lastly, protect your lemongrass from frost by either relocating it indoors or utilising frost cloth in regions with colder temperatures.

2. Prepare Soil For Growing Lemongrass

To get your soil ready for growing lemongrass at home, first, pick a sunny spot with good drainage and soil that's not too sour or too sweet. Clear out any junk from the area and dig up the soil about a foot deep, and check the soil's acidity. If it's not right, you can fix it by adding things like compost or manure (kitchen waste) to make the soil better. If the soil doesn't drain well, mix in some coarse sand.

Make the soil flat and make little holes or rows about 2-3 feet apart. Put the lemongrass in these holes with its roots in the soil and the top part sticking out. Give them a good drink of water, and if you want, you can put something like straw or wood chips on top to keep the soil moist and stop weeds from growing.

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3. Correct Way Of Planting Lemongrass

When you're ready to start growing lemongrass, acquire lemongrass stalks from a nursery or your local grocery store, ensuring that they come with robust and healthy roots. The planting process depends on whether you're opting for an in-ground or container approach. If it's the former, dig a hole that's approximately twice as wide and deep as the lemongrass root ball, then place the stalks into the hole, covering them with soil while leaving the top part above the ground.

Conversely, if you're using a container, ensure it's at least 12 inches deep and wide to accommodate the lemongrass. For both methods, maintaining the right level of moisture is vital. Aim to keep the soil constantly damp, but avoid overwatering.

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4. Maintenance And Harvesting The Lemongrass

Nourish your lemongrass with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser every 4-6 weeks during the growing season, typically in spring and summer. For maintenance, regularly trim any withering or yellow leaves to stimulate fresh growth. At the end of the growing season, consider pruning the plant to a height of about 6 inches above the soil.

Harvesting becomes viable when the lemongrass reaches a height of 12-24 inches. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the stalks at their base, utilising the lower, tender parts while discarding the tougher upper sections.