Fenugreek is a Mediterranean herb that is used for cooking, spices, cosmetics, soaps, healing inflammation, and even lowering cholesterol.Fenugreek can be found at health food stores, but it's not usually found in your local grocery store.You can have an abundant and cheap supply of fenugreek if you prepare your garden area and plant it.
Step 1: Get some seeds.
You need to get the seeds from which the plants grow before you can grow them on your own.If you know someone who already grows this herb, you can ask them for some, but most likely you will need to buy some.You can go to an Indian grocery store or an herb shop if you want to buy Fenugreek.You can find online stores like Amazon.com.If you buy organic seeds, it will cost between 25 cents and $1 for an ounce.
Step 2: Pick a place to grow your plant.
Fenugreek can be planted in the soil in your yard, a twelve-inch planter, or even an aluminum tray filled with dirt.If you want an area with full sun but partial shade, you should look for it.Fenugreek doesn't do well when replanted, so either plant it in the area where it will mature from the beginning, or use a pot that will grow into the ground later.
Step 3: The soil conditions should be checked.
You will want the soil to be well-drained.It should have a slightly acidic balance.If you want to plant your seeds, be sure to test the pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Step 4: It's best to plant around early spring.
Fenugreek thrives in warm soil, so any time from spring to early autumn will work for most places.If you live in a cold place, you can start growing it as early as 5 weeks before the last frost.
Step 5: Prepare your soil.
Fenugreek seeds need to be kept moist and not overwatered.If you want the water to drain away, you need to break up the large chunks of soil.Adding organic compost and manure will help fertilize it and make it drain better.You need to make sure that you have enough space to cover your seeds.If you are planting seeds in an outdoor garden, you'll want to dig the ground up to 25 cm to break up the soil.If you use a container with loose potting soil instead, you won't need to break any of the soil once you've poured it into the container.If you leave some space between the top and the edge of the container, you will be able to fill in more soil when the seeds are sown.
Step 6: Before planting the seeds, soak them overnight.
You can increase the rate of germination by soaking the seeds overnight.Place the seeds in a bowl or cup of room temperature water and leave them there overnight.Before planting the seeds, drain the water in the morning.
Step 7: Put the seeds in a container.
The areas you want your fenugreek to grow should be covered with seeds.Don't worry about the spacing of the seeds.Fenugreek seeds don't have to be separated in order to grow like some plants.You should soak the seeds in water before planting them.
Step 8: Put the seeds in the soil.
Fenugreek doesn't need to be buried very deep.Only 14 inch of potting soil provides adequate coverage for your fenugreek.scavengers like birds will not eat them if they're buried.
Step 9: Water the seeds.
You will have to water the seeds in order for them to grow.Make sure the soil is moist.The excess water should drain away quickly, but you will want to keep it well-moistened over the next few days.Between the third and fifth days, they should start to bud.Because of the rainy environment, it's advised that you maintain a steady slow drip watering method instead of pouring water on the surface periodically.This will allow the water to penetrate the soil deeper and make water delivery constant.
Step 10: There are pests to watch for.
There are pests and diseases that can be seen in fenugreek, but it does not suffer from many of them.Don't over water and use organic pesticides to control pests and diseases.
Step 11: Wait for the plants to mature.
It can take up to 3-4 weeks for the seeds to be ready for harvest.It's time by the height of the sprout, which should be about 6 inches or 140mm tall.
Step 12: It's time to harvest your fenugreek.
Depending on whether you're trying to get leaves or seeds from the plant, you will want to vary how you harvest it.Pull the leaves up by the roots if you cut the plant at the stem a few centimeters above the soil.If you want to harvest seeds, you have to wait for the yellow pods on the plant to open.
Step 13: Replant.
Fenugreek varieties do not regrowth after flowering.If you want a constant supply of fresh Fenugreek, you should sow seeds every few weeks, as the plants will die around the time you sow.If you want to reuse the same area immediately, you'll need to pull up the remains of the plants after they've been composted.