Gardening is not only a great bonding activity for the whole family, it is also a productive way to rest and unwind. Growing your own food or hobby farming is even more fruitful! Fortunately, here in the Philippines, lots of fruits, herbs, and vegetables can be grown, thanks to its tropical, crop-friendly climate.  

Here are some herbs and vegetables that you can easily nurture in your own backyard – especially if you’re a beginner. 

Basil

Basil
Photo by Rasa Kasparaviciene from Unsplash

 

Basil is great to have in the kitchen because of its versatility. You can use it to season and add zing to various dishes, including pesto pasta, pizza, and salads. 

When planting, you can grow it from seeds or from cuttings. Note that it needs four to eight hours of sun exposure per day. If you’re growing it indoors, make sure to put it in a spot where it gets a good amount of sunlight. It thrives in loam and clay loam, and when allowed to dry out a bit in between waterings. Basil plants love it when pruning is done regularly as this encourages growth, but you should only do it when it grows six inches tall.

Bok Choy / Pechay

Bok Choy
Photo by Henry & Co. from Unsplash
 

A healthy, Vitamin C- and iron-rich ingredient for soup and stir-fried dishes, bok choy or pechay is an easy and fast vegetable to grow. You can nurture it throughout the year and in all soil types except clay, silt, and rocky earth. Keep the soil slightly moist and ensure it gets three to six hours of sun.

The minimum space for a pechay plant to thrive is 10 x 10 x 10 cm. Plant it from seed and you can notice it germinate in only three to five days – to be transplanted within 10-20 days. You can already harvest your pechay in 30-45 days.  

Kangkong


Kangkong

Another nutritious and quick-growing vegetable, kangkong is ready to harvest after 30 days from sowing. It is also rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and iron. 

In a minimum space of 15 x 15 x 15 cm, you can directly sow a seed that sprouts after three to four days. It thrives in any type of soil that’s kept moist. You also don’t need deep soil containers for kangkong as they can happily grow in three-inch-deep pots. Just make sure that they get three to six hours of sunlight each day. 

Mint

Mint
Photo by Thuy Lam from Unsplash

Like basil, mint is another herb that’s simple to grow and can elevate any drink and snack. You can use it as a garnish in your cocktail, yogurt, and smoothies.

When growing your mint, keep it in a sunny spot, where it can get four to eight hours of sunlight. Keep its loam or clay loam soil moist too. In addition, its strong odor repels insects, so consider planting mint all around your garden plot. A quick reminder: This plant spread easily. It’s best to grow it in its own container.

Spring Onion

Spring onion
Photo by Christopher Previte from Unsplash

Spring onion is a flavorful veggie that can be served in different ways, raw or cooked. It can be chopped to be used in soup, noodles, and seafood dishes. It can also be part of salads and stir-fried grub. That’s why it’s great to have this green handy in your backyard.

When nurturing a plant – either from seed or cuttings – ensure that it gets four to eight hours of sun. It thrives in any kind of well-drained soil which should be kept slightly moist. In just eight weeks, you can already harvest this crop.

A word of caution: This vegetable – and the rest of the allium family (onion, garlic, shallots, leeks, chives) – are toxic to cats and dogs whether raw or cooked. They contain the toxin N-propyl disulfide, so it’s best to keep your pets away from the plant.

Start hobby farming in your Filinvest home

Reap the rewards of your patience as you grow your own food in your Filinvest home, where you have enough space to nurture a flourishing patch of land. Green the way forward with all the space and greens you need – whether you’re in the heart of the city or thriving in the suburbs. Lead a healthier, more holistic lifestyle with us today – where dreams are built green.

Interested in a Filinvest home? Call us today at (02) 8-850-0888 or (0917) 545-7788.

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