Big bean sprouts

Big bean sprouts are actually the sprouts of soybeans. They are less common than the standard bean sprouts, which are actually the sprouts of mung beans. They are slightly larger than the usual bean sprouts and the bean part of the sprout is considerably larger and harder than those of the more common bean sprouts. They have a high protein content and have a very nutty flavor. They are usually stir fried with some shallots and chili. They also make a great, healthy and inexpensive addition to salads and taste equally great when eaten raw. Try to get organic soybeans as they produce the best results as commercial soybeans may have been treated to prevent sprouting.

Sprouting beans is very easy and does not require much gardening work as it is done indoors. All that is needed is a paper towel and a plate to keep moisture in. Soak the beans in water overnight before planting. Spread the seeds evenly on the paper towel and put them in a sunny spot. Add adequate water to the paper towel to keep the beans nice and moist. The beans should start sprouting after a week or so. When the sprouts reach around 4 inches, they are ready to be harvested.

Broccoli

Although not very popular with kids, broccoli happens to be one of the most nutritious vegetables around. It is packed with many different vitamins and minerals. They are also rich in antioxidants and contain cancer-fighting compounds. They taste great when stir fried with oyster sauce, or even steamed on its own with some salt and pepper. Broccoli grows from seeds, which can be bought from the local gardening supply store.

Broccoli requires full sunlight. They also need lots of nutrition as well. The soil should be prepared with lots of compost and manure 2 weeks before the actual planting date. The soil should also be free from weeds. It should also be loose to encourage the plant to grow. Plant the seeds around 18 inches apart to give adequate space for growth. Broccoli needs a lot of water so they need to be watered regularly, about once a week. Broccoli will mature approximately 3 months after sowing.

Bell peppers

Bell peppers add a very distinctive taste and texture to salads, or to stews. They have a very greenish and earthy taste that gives dimension to vegetables when stir fried with them. Bell peppers are also roasted on an open fire to increase their sweetness and to soften its crunchy texture. Bell peppers grow from seeds.

Bell peppers prefer hot climates and lots of sunlight for optimal growth. The soil should be prepared with plenty of compost and manure. It should also be free of weeds and have loose soil with good drainage. Plant 2-3 seeds in one spot, around 24 inches apart. Water the plants daily as too little water will cause the peppers to be bitter. Bell pepper plants take about 3 months to mature and bear fruit.

Corn

One of the staple foods of the world, corn is a versatile and delicious crop that can be eaten from straight from the cob, or prepared in many different ways. They have a sweet taste with a crunchy texture that makes them a favorite with gardeners. Corn are planted via its kernels that can be bought from any gardening store.

Corn requires full sunlight and rich soil with good drainage to grow optimally. Clear the soil of weeds, mix in compost and loosen the soil prior to planting. Plant the kernels 4-6 inches apart as planting them close will assist with pollination. When the plants are 3-4 inches tall, then them out to around a foot from each other. Water them once a week but close to the soil so that it will not wash the pollen away from the plant. Feed the plants with a balanced liquid organic fertilizer three times: when they reach 10 inches, then 18 inches, and when tassels start appearing. Corn takes around 2-3 months to mature before they produce corncobs that are ready for harvesting.

Zucchini

Zucchini is a flexible vegetable that can be used either raw or cooked. It can also be used in baked goods, like bread or muffins. In Asian countries, they are usually stir fried, in stews or in soups. They also contain a lot of nutrition. Zucchini is grown from seeds. One zucchini plant can produce up to 16 fruits, which is why there is no need to plant many zucchini plants

Zucchini prefers sunny and hot weather to grow optimally, as well as soil with good drainage. Clear the soil of weeds and prepare the soil by mixing in aged compost as well as loosening the soil up. Plant the seeds at around 3 feet apart. Cover the seeds with compost and give them adequate water after sowing. They will grow to have big leaves so it is necessary to provide adequate spacing between each plant. Alternatively, a fence can be used to encourage them to grow vertically. Zucchini plants require a lot of water and must be watered once every few days, when the soil gets dry. Care must be taken to not water the leaves as mildew may develop. Zucchini takes up to 2 months to mature and will produce fruit continuously once it matures. It is best to harvest zucchini when it reaches around 8 inches in length, as it will get tasteless if it grows any bigger.

Purple cabbage

Purple cabbage is a variety of cabbage that has an intense deep purple color as opposed to the whitish green hue of a regular cabbage. They taste slightly more bitter than the regular variety but provide more nutrition. They can be eaten stewed or raw as an addition to salads. Purple cabbages grow from seeds, which can be bought from any gardening store.

Cabbages in general are not a big fan of heat and should be planted in the shade, as they tend to bolt (producing stems and flowers instead of leaves) in the heat. Prepare the soil by de-weeding it, and add compost to make it fertile. Sow the seeds 12 to 24 inches apart from each other. Add fertilizer once a week, as cabbages require a lot of fertilizer. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not wet. Cabbages are ready to harvest at around 2 months from the time of sowing, where cabbage heads will appear.

Petai

Petai, also known as the stink bean, is a bitter and pungent bean that is popular in Malaysia and its surrounding countries. It is also known as stink bean, twisted cluster bean and bitter bean elsewhere. These beans are a delicacy – you’ll either love it or hate it. It is usually cooked with chili paste and shallots as a fiery companion for rice. Petais usually grows from the seed and they will grow into a huge tree that is around 30-40 meters tall, making it a very unpopular choice for gardens.

Petai trees can grow at almost any condition and are very hardy plants. However for best results, the seeds must be germinated separately before they can be planted to the ground. Petai plants need very little maintenance and can survive and grow almost anywhere, although a huge space will be needed as will grow into a full-fledged tree. Petai trees will take around 5-7 years from the time of planting to mature and produce petai pods.

Long beans

Long beans, or also known by the names of asparagus bean, yard long bean, snake bean and chinese long bean is another Asian specialty. It has an earthy taste with a crunchy texture. It can be eaten raw in salads, or stir-fried or added to stews where it is eaten soft. They add an interesting dimension of flavor to any dish. Long beans are planted from the seed.

Long beans require loose soil that does not suffocate the plant. They also require lots of sunlight to grow well, as well as support as they are creeper plants. Prepare the soil by removing its weeds and adjusting it with compost. Once planted to the ground, the seeds need be to given lots of water until they germinate. Water them once a day as long beans require a lot of water. The plant itself does not require much care and have beans that are ready for harvesting 2 months from the day it is sown.

Sawi/Brasicca

Popular in Southeast Asia, sawi is a popular choice in Malaysian kitchens. It is usually stir fried with shallots and oyster sauce. They make a delicious and nutritious dish that is easy to prepare and have a juicy texture with sweet undertones.

Prepare the soil for planting by removing the weeds and adjusting it with compost. Seeds can be planted at around 6-7 inches apart from each other. Manure can be re-added to the soil 10 days after sowing. Water them once a day to keep the soil moist. Sawi can be harvested approximately a month from the time of sowing.

Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourds are juicy but bitter, fleshy plants, packed with nutrition. It also contains compounds, which can help improve certain diseases such as diabetes. This plant is more common in Asia rather than in the west and can be found in many Asian dishes. Bitter gourd is usually chopped and fried with salted beans and garlic, or made into nutritious soups. Bitter gourds are grown from seeds.

Bitter gourds need lots of sunlight to grow. Prepare the soil with manure and by loosening and weeding it. Soak the seeds for a day before planting for best results and sow 2-3 seeds in one hole, around 18-20 inches apart. Remember to add poles or fences as a form of support as bitter gourds are creepers. They should also be watered at least once daily as the plant requires a lot of water. Bitter gourds are ready to be harvested in 2 months and should be harvested young as the fruit will get more bitter the longer it is left unharvested.