A Green Revolution at home by Minigarden

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

2 About me

! Gardening is a passion that started with my grandmother and since then has always been a part of my life.

I studied at Instituto Superior de Agronomia and currently I am a landscape architect. I design gardens and love it. In my studio I mainly create projects for individual clients.

Alongside my professional activity, I’m also the chair of the Portuguese Association of Gardens and Historic Places. Since 2008, I have also been a regular writer for TV segments on gardening.

In 2011, Esfera dos Livros a publisher invited me to write a Portuguese book on gardening focusing on this country’s conditions: weather, market availability, etc. In May 2012, ‘A Garden To Care For’ emerged.

Teresa Chambel

http://umjardimparacuidar.blogspot.pt/

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Productive gardens are the order of the day. They are more than just a growing phenomenon or a fad, they are a need and pleasure. Growing vegetables organically in a little garden or on a balcony is easy and gratifying.

Understanding which species are grown in each season, what should be planted, harvested and what plants shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be mixed is a learning process for parents and children, one that will probably become a passion.

In Portugal, people have withdrawn from agriculture and any job that will get your hands dirty. In the old days, empirical knowledge on how to cultivate, plant and sow would instinctively pass on from parents to children because all of them were in close contact with the land, the rhythms and whims of nature. Everyone used to farm because it was a need but, today, the majority does it out of pleasure so, most of the time, we have to relearn everything.

To be a gardener in the city is fun and a lot less troublesome than having a big land. However, whatever is produced comes in smaller amounts either in quantity or variety.

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Sun exposure

Most vegetable plants appreciate long hours of sun exposure. The best directions which vegetable plants should be facing are East and West, (morning or afternoon sun, alternating). Out of these two, West is the best choice because it offers longer sunlight exposure during the summer.

If your space is mainly facing north or completely shadowy, it will be quite difficult to grow most vegetable plants, aromatic plants or even little fruits. On the other hand, if your space is facing South, don't slack summer irrigations.

! Soil !

Vegetable plants, given their characteristics (rapid growth, multiple harvests), need a lot of organic material and basic nutrients to better their development: phosphorus (P) to help roots develop, nitrogen (N) to ensure the health of the aerial part and flowering of plants, and potassium (K) for the healthy growth of flowers and fruits.

The market offers great compounds, which are already fertilised, from organic farming. These will save a lot of work and ensure your success, especially when planting in a pot.â&#x20AC;Š

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Amount of space needed

Vegetable plants can be grown in almost any space, as long as the soil, container and plant are the right ones. Plants can be placed in vases, flower pots and wooden boxes, and without much hassle itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to grow many different kinds. However, aromatic plants are the easiest to plant, maintain and use.

How to organically grow your vegetable garden

To start organically growing vegetables, you should be familiar with a series of terms. They are simple, essential and easy to understand. The next two concepts are the most important.â&#x20AC;Š

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

! Composting ! What is it? ! Nowadays, we are constantly being told about composting and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no institutional entity that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t started its own process of this kind. Composting is beneficial for all of us who inhabit this planet and produce a lot of solid organic waste.

The term composting is used to describe a natural process of decomposition of organic materials, like leaves, food and shredded wood. After their decomposition, they become a highly rich compound in nutrients and organic material that can be used in crops as a substrate and organic fertiliser.

Composting is a way of contributing to the future of the planet by recycling organic waste and avoiding its accumulation in landfills.

Composting can be done in our home by a very simple process. To begin with, we need to have a composting bin.â&#x20AC;Š

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Composting bin

There are ready-made composting bins that can be bought in different stores. If you decide to build your own, bear in mind it needs to be 0.5 m3 in volume (500l) to store an year-round worth of organic material waste. The bin can me made of wood or plywood and needs to be airy and have a draining system.

How to produce compost

There are two kinds of biodegradable materials that can be placed in the composting bin:

â&#x20AC;˘ Brown material (twigs*, leaves, flowers, dead plants, shredded wood, straw) â&#x20AC;˘ Green material (food leftovers, vegetables, fresh fruit, green plants)

When placing the material in the composting bin, make sure the layers alternate between brown and green material and the top layer is of brown material to avoid displeasing smells. Also, when composting, remember to water the mix. Every time a new layer is placed, water the blend and overturn the compost so that it ventilates. The more you turn it, the more it oxygenates and this will allow for a faster production of compost.

The final product (compost) is ready to use in 6 - 12 months. It should resemble dark soil, be scent free and at room temperature. After it is removed from the bin, the compost should be allowed to rest for three weeks before being used.

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

What’s the compost for?

• The compost is an excellent organic fertiliser: • It stimulates root growth • Improves ground’s water infiltration ability • Keeps soil temperature stable • Maintains soil pH • Activates beneficial microorganisms in the soil • Lowers the appearance of weeds • Decreases the use of herbicides

! Intercropping !

Growing vegetables takes more than will, it is also important to understand how to plant a successful garden, which is simple if you do it with care. Gardening and vegetable growing are a lot like cooking: while you don’t master the process, be sure to follow the recipes… Look closely to the following guidelines because they are truly important:

Plant location shouldn't be chosen at random. All plants are able to produce substances through their roots therefore influencing neighbouring plants (this phenomenon is called allelopathy). This can lead to positive effects, which contribute to an improved development of the neighbouring plants (companion plants), or negative effects, which inhibit seed germination (antagonistic plants). Plants should be mixed in different plots, making sure to place in each one only companion plants.

The following table is a great help when choosing different plants for the same pot.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

9 Chosen Plant

Companion Plants

Antagonistic Plants

Celery

Lettuce, leek, cabbage, beans

Potatoes, corn

Lettuce

Celery, onion, carrot, cabbage, None beans, strawberry, cucumber, radish, tomato

Garlic

Lettuce, beet, cabbage, strawberry, tomato

Peas, beans

Leek

Celery, lettuce, onion, carrot, cabbage, strawberry, tomato

Beet, peas, beans

Beet

Lettuce, garlic, onion, cabbage, horseradish, strawberry, cucumber

Beans, leek, potatoes

Chard

Carrot, cabbage, beans

None

Eggplant

Beans and green beans

None

Onion

Lettuce, beet, carrot, Cabbage, peas, beans strawberry, cucumber, tomato

Spring onion

Carrot, cabbage

Peas, beans

Carrot

Chard, celery, lettuce, leek, onion, peas, radish, horseradish, tomato

Dill

Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli

Chard, celery, lettuce, leek, potato, beet, peas, spinach, beans, radish, aromatics

Onion, strawberry

Coriander

Asparagus, corn, tomato

Fennelr

Peas

Lettuce, carrot, cabbage, corn, Garlic, leek, potato, onion, turnip, cucumber, radish, beans, tomato horseradish

Spinache

Lettuce, potatoes, beet, cabbage, beans, strawberry, turnip, radish, horseradish, tomato

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None

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

10 Chosen Plant

Companion Plants

Antagonistic Plants

Beans

Chard, celery, lettuce, potatoes, beet, carrots, cabbage, spinach, corn, strawberry, turnip, cucumber

Garlic, leek, onion, peas

Green beans

Potatoes, corn, radish

Garlic, beet, onion

Strawberry

Lettuce, garlic, leek, beet, onion, cabbage, spinach, beans, radish, horseradish

None

Turnip

Chard, rosemary, lettuce, peas, spinach, beans, mint

Potato, tomato

Cucumber

Celery, lettuce, beet, onion, peas, beans, corn

Potato, horseradish, radish

Pepper

Carrot, onion, parsley, tomato

horseradish

Radish

Chard, lettuce, carrots, Chard, cucumber cabbage, peas, spinach, beans, strawberry

Rocket

Chicory, corn, lettuce, green beans

Parsley

Asparagus, corn, tomato

None

Tomato

Celery, lettuce, garlic, leek, onion, carrots, cauliflower

Potatoes, cabbage, peas, cucumber

Thyme

Cabbage

None

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Vegetable plants on balconies and terraces Look out for:

Never forget that balconies and terraces offer extreme weather conditions: extreme heat during the summer, very cold and windy during wintertime.

! For vegetables, full sun exposure during the summer is advantageous, especially for tomato, pepper and eggplant. However, sometimes there can be too much sun exposure, even for the aforementioned plants. In these cases you can either place them under a shadow cast by other plants, use a sun umbrella or canopy.

It is advisable, in the beginning of spring, to protect the plants from the night cold when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just planted them. You can use a thermal blanket (available at any specialised store) but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to remove it in the morning, so plants wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t heat up too much.

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

! Advantages: ! • Takes up only a small space • Low investment • Low maintenance time • Fewer weeds than a traditional garden • Pots and vases are movable so you can take them wherever you need. For example, when using aromatics plants in your cooking, you can take the pots to the kitchen, thus making daily consumption easier • You can move the pots to protect plants from extreme cold or heat

What vegetable plants need

Most vegetable plants need a lot of organic material, so you should use a peat substrate. Flower pots should have a good drainage system because many plants die of root asphyxia caused by water in excess. Vegetable plants need a lot of water, so a water source in the terrace is helpful.

Changing the substrate on a yearly basis

When flower pots are large, it is possible to change only a part of the substrate, remembering to add organic material. Don’t forget vegetable plants exhaust the soil, a situation exacerbated when they are in pots because the substrate is finite. Instead of the usual rotative plan for gardens, with pots you have to remember to change the substrate from time to time.

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Which plants to choose

The chosen plants should not grow too much and their volume shouldn’t be overpowering. Preferably, they should grow fast so that you can enjoy the first harvests.

Nowadays, there’s a wide variety of dwarf vegetables but these shouldn’t be the only chosen plants.

! Don’t forget vegetable plants are fit for consumption because of this they need to be replanted regularly so there’s enough quantity for daily meals.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

A few vegetables I recommend:

Leek Allium porrum Leek is essential in any vegetable garden because of its many different uses in cooking. Also, it is good for your health. On top of this, it requires very low maintenance. Sun exposure - Full exposure. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t grow properly in the shade but tolerates cold and frost. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Plant in trays, a greenhouse or at home from February to May (so you can have leek in the summer and autumn), and from September to November (to have leek during winter and spring. Plant or transplant during spring or autumn when it has grown up to 10-20 cm). Harvesting season - 5 - 6 months after sowing or 3 - 4 months after planting.

Lettuce Lactuca sativa Lettuce grows exceptionally well on balconies because it only needs a small space and shallow soil. It is possible to grow different kinds of lettuce or mix them with radish and carrots. Sun exposure - Full exposure. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - All year round Harvesting season - One month after sowing/planting.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Eggplant Solanum melangena It is a great vegetable when eaten right after itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harvested (excellent stuffed with mushrooms and meat, and roasted in the oven with bĂŠchamel sauce). Sun exposure - Full exposure. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - They can be seeded or planted from February to April and can be found in many vegetable producers and nurseries. Harvesting season - Five months after planting but pick only what you need. To harvest grab the fruit and cut by the stalk with pruning shears or a harvesting knife.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Broccoli Brassica oleraceae var “italica” An excellent kind of cabbage to grow not only in the garden, but also on a balcony or in a pot because it has a very shallow root. It has another advantage: it’s an ornamental plant. Sun exposure - Half-shadow. Life cycle - Biennial Planting/sowing season - Sow by the end of the summer. Plant in autumn in a permanent place. Harvesting season - 4 months after seeding (end of winter, beginning of spring). It should be harvested when inflorescences are at their maximum size but still compact. Cut the stalk by 10 - 20 cm, depending on the size of the head.

Cabbage Brassica oleraceae It is possible to mix different kinds of cabbages with different colours and textures and the result will be highly decorative. Sun exposure - Half-shadow. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow in a tray in the end of the summer. Plant in autumn in a permanent place. Harvesting season - 4 months after seeding (end of winter - beginning of spring) but it can be used just as a decorative element. White cabbage is cut as a whole by the base, or you can take the leaves off as you need them.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Zucchini Cucurbita pepo var. Zuchino Zucchini is the perfect kind of pumpkin to plant in pots and is also quite essential because of its many different uses in cooking. Sun exposure - Sun or half-shadow. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow in a tray, greenhouse or at home between February and March. Sow in a permanent place between Abril and June. Plant between March and June. Harvesting season - 50 - 60 days after planting (end of June to October). Harvest when the fruit is firm with a shiny peel.

Peas Pisum sativum Peas do well in a balcony or terrace. The climbing kinds should be leaned against a wall, an iron or wood structure, or directed by bamboo canes. Sun exposure - Sun Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - October - November in a permanent spot. When sowing, dig holes with the finger or with the help of a plantador and place 3 to 4 seeds in each one. Harvesting season - 3 months after sowing (February - March - Abril)

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Spinach Spinacia oleraceae This is an easy vegetable to grow and doesn’t need a very deep ground to develop, therefore, it’s an excellent option for pots. Moreover, it grows fast, so by the end of one month it should be ready to harvest. Sun exposure - Shadow or half-shadow. Can’t tolerate excessive heat. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow or plant in a permanent place between January and April (to harvest in spring - summer) or between August - October (to harvest in autumn - winter). Harvesting season - 30 - 60 days after sowing/planting. If it is planted in a pot, you can pick the leaves as you need them because after it’s harvested, spinach doesn’t last long.

Green beans Phaseolus vulgaris Bean plants are beautiful because of the flowering and pods, so they can be used as an ornamental element. They do well in a garden, balcony or terrace. Green beans are a good choice because they have a faster cycle. Sun exposure - Sun Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - April to June - Sow in a permanent place. To make the germination process easier you can put the seeds in a glass of warm water for a couple of hours before sowing them. To sow dig holes with the finger or with the help of a plantador and place 2 to 3 seeds in each one. Harvesting season - 3 to 4 months after sowing.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Chilli Capsicum frutescens There are many kinds of chilli, from the least spicy to the most, green, orange and red. Choose the ones you like the most and that best fit your space. Sun exposure - Sun and heat. Life cycle - Perennial Image 6 - Chilli Planting/sowing season - Sow in a greenhouse or at home during winter or spring. Transplant when it reaches a minimum of 15 cm in height. Plant outside at the end of spring when thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no risk of occurring any frosts. Harvesting season - 3 to 4 months after sowing or planting.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Cucumber Cucumis sativus Cucumber is a very easy vegetable to grow and an excellent ingredient for salads in the summer. There’s a wide variety of cucumbers, so choose the one that pleases you the most: small, big, greener, whiter, for pickles, etc. Sun exposure - Sun Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow in the beginning of spring and transplant or plant at the end of spring (May - June), when it’s not cold anymore. Harvesting season - About two months after sowing but remember only to harvest the ripe cucumbers as you need them.

Pepper Capsicum annuum There’s a wide variety of peppers: sweet, spicy, yellow, orange, red and green. Moreover, they are tasty and highly decorative because of their shiny and lustrous fruits. Sun exposure - Sun and lots of light. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow in a greenhouse/small greenhouse or at home in a warm place, in the end of winter. Plant or transplant in the spring (end of April or May), when there’s no longer any risk of frost occurrence or extremely cold temperatures because peppers can’t tolerate it. Harvesting season - Five months after sowing or three months after planting (if the plant is small). Sometimes, when you buy a big plant it already has some grown peppers. Take them off as you need them, when they appear to be ripe.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Radish Raphanus sativus Radish is probably the easiest vegetable to grow. It also grows quite fast, so radish can be eaten throughout the year. Sun exposure - Half-shadow. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Winter radish - sow in the end of the summer; spring radish - sow in the beginning of spring. This should be done in a permanent place, just like for the carrots. Sow two or three times, so you can have radish for longer. Harvesting season - Three to six weeks after sowing.

Rocket Eruca vesicaria sub. sativa Rocket is irreplaceable in summer salads and appetisers. One of my favourite salads is a bowl of rocket, pear, parmesan shavings with balsamic vinegar and flower of salt. If you like rocket, you should be happy to know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to grow and almost looks like a weed. Sun exposure - Half-shadow. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow - Spring (April - May) and Autumn (October November). You can sow in a definitive place or using an alveoli tray. Harvesting season - June - September; February - April. Harvest only when you need it to lengthen the harvesting period.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Tomato Lycopersicum esculentum Tomatoes are an excellent vegetable for a terrace or balcony. Bear in mind they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tolerate frosts, so during winter, tomato plants should be protected in a small greenhouse or flower shed. Place a tutor or lean it against a wall, so that it grows straight. There are many varieties of tomato and almost all do well in pots. Sun exposure - Full exposure. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow from March and plant from May to June. Harvesting season - 2 - 5 months after sowing/planting. Harvest the tomatoes one at a time by cutting by the stalk.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Some general guidelines to harvest vegetables

• Pick your vegetables during the evening or early morning. • With leaf vegetables, pick only the leaves you need for the meal, except for the white cabbage and a few others. • It is always best to pick the leaves with pruning shears or a harvesting knife than doing it by hand. • Regarding root / tuber vegetables, pick them by pulling from the ground but be careful not to break the foliage.

! Aromatic plants, medicinal plants and spices !

Aromatic plants are beneficial for any space and, nowadays, a huge trend. Most of them are easy to grow in pots, outside or inside.

Aromatic plants, spices and medicinal plants are made of essential oils, alkaloids, tannins, etc., that bestow on them special properties.

The closer they are to the kitchen, the better. Your aromatic garden can be planted in pots, the important thing is to enjoy them, learn how to grow them, sow, pick and eat them always and plentifully!

I prefer to eat aromatic fresh herbs because the scent is stronger, apart from a few like oregano whose fragrance is stronger when dried.

Most dishes can be enriched with freshly picked herbs. Growing aromatic plants is almost an addiction because once you do it, you eat them more often and the more you eat, the more you grow!

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Sun exposure

Regarding sun exposure, most aromatic plants prefer full sun exposure, apart from parsley, coriander, lemon balm and mint that prefer humid and dark places. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always smarter to place a plant in the right spot.

! Soil !

Aromatic plants often do well in light poor well-drained soils with a pH close to neutral. If the soil is too heavy, adding sand will make it lighter and loose, which will help in the plants growth. Once again, there are a few exceptions: some aromatic plants only tolerate darker places and organic-rich soils.

! Space needed !

These plants are perfect to grow in pots on a terrace, balcony, windowsill or inside your home, alone or grouped because of how easy it is to grow them (as long as there is light and ventilation). Remember to check if the containers are the most suitable in size and allow good drainage because this is essential to the healthy development of plants, whichever they are.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

What to grow

There is a wide array of aromatic plants, spices and medicinal plants to choose from, so if you have little space or not a lot of time go for the ones that make your daily meals: parsley, coriander, basil, onion springs, thyme, etc. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more exciting to grow something you will actually eat and enjoy.

Celery Apium graveolens Celery brings new life to salads! Its taste and crunchy consistency are excellent. It is also easy to grow in a pot. Sun exposure - Sun or half-shadow. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow between January and February in a greenhouse. Plant outside during spring. Harvesting season - Four months after sowing or two months after planting. Pick the whole plant.

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26 Lavender

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Lavandula angustifolia Extraordinary plant that does well in almost any kind of place. This rustic, aromatic plant with a beautiful inflorescence shouldn't be absent from any terrace. Sun exposure - Full exposure. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - Spring; Autumn Harvesting season - Pick them any time of the year.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Creeping rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis prostratus Excellent plant that does well in almost any kind of conditions, including by the sea air. This rustic, aromatic plant with a beautiful inflorescence shouldn't be absent from any garden or terrace. Sun exposure - Full exposure. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - March - April Harvesting season - Pick them any time of the year.â&#x20AC;Š

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Spring onions Allium schoenoprasum Spring onions are essential in any vegetable or aromatic garden because it is used in 1001 seasonings. They are easy to grow and do well in small pots with 15 - 20 cm of soil. Plant them alone or with carrots, parsley or coriander. Sun exposure - Sun. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow between March and April. Plant them in any time of the year. Harvesting season - Pick them in any time of the year.

Coriander Coriandrum sativum Coriander is essential in Portuguese dishes, mainly in Alentejo. I can no longer live without a pot of coriander close by. If you use a lot of coriander in your cooking, seed them several times along the year. Sun exposure - Sun. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - Sow from March to April, May to June and from July to August; plant in any time of the year. Harvesting season - Two months after sowing or fifteen days to a month after planting.

Lemon balm Melissa officinalis Essential on any terrace or balcony. A tea of fresh lemon balm is absolutely delicious because of its lemony scent. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to find lemon balm plants in any nursery. Sun exposure - Shadow or half-shadow. Life cycle - Perennial/Vivacious. The aerial part can disappear with the cold. Planting/sowing season - Sow in the spring; plant between spring and autumn Harvesting season - Summer. The leaves are used in infusions.

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

! Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus This lemon scented infusion is my favourite. It has calming, disinfectant and digestive properties and eases cough and menstrual pain. It is usually used as a spice in Thai cooking. It is also a great insect repellent and in Thailand and Brazil is often used nearby swamps to keep mosquitos away. Sun exposure - Sun. It doesn't tolerate the cold. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - Spring Harvesting season - Pick the leaves in any time of the year, as you need them. Maintenance - Very resistant to pests and diseases. Prune it several times along the year because the more you do it, the better it looks.

Tarragon Artemisia dranunculus It’s an excellent plant to grow in a pot and an obligatory presence in any vegetable garden because it is known as a fine herb and is used in sauces like “Bérnaise” or Hollandaise. It should be used carefully because tarragon has an intense scent. Sun exposure - Sun, protected from the wind. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - Spring

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Mentha sp There are many different kinds of mint and it is possible to mix them all together in a large pot or plot of ground. Mint is essential and has an unmistakable scent. One of my favourite drinks is a glass full of fresh mint leaves with ice and water. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delicious, refreshing and has no calories! Mint can be grown anywhere and attracts butterflies, as well as beneficial insects for the garden. Sun exposure - Sun and half-shadow. Life cycle - Vivacious Planting/sowing season - Autumn or spring Harvesting season - Fifteen days after planting.â&#x20AC;Š

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Hart's Pennyroyal Mint Mentha cervina Naturally appears by waterlines and prefers fresh and humid places. It is easy to grow Hart's Pennyroyal Mint anywhere even in a pot and it is frequently used in some parts of the country like Alentejo. Sun exposure - Sun and half-shadow. Life cycle - Vivacious Planting/sowing season - Autumn or spring Harvesting season - Fifteen days after planting.

Lemon Verbena Aloysia triphylla If there’s a mandatory plant for a garden, it’s Lemon Verbena, which has always been present in all the gardens of my life: my grandparents’, my parents’, etc. Still today I ask my mother for Lemon Verbena leaves because this is my daughters’ favourite infusion. Sun exposure - Sun. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - Plant in spring, summer and autumn Harvesting season - One to two months after planting. The infusion is excellent with fresh leaves and has a very pleasant lemony scent.

Basil Ocimum basilicum It is possible to mix basil with tomato plants because its scent keeps insects away, protecting them. Be aware that once a basil plant goes to seed, it disappears (because it’s an annual plant). Before sowing or planting a new basil plant in a pot, completely remove the substrate because it becomes exhausted. Sun exposure - Full exposure. Life cycle - Annual Planting/sowing season - From April Harvesting season - Fifteen days to one month after planting.

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Marjoram Origanum magerona One of the main advantages of the marjoram plant is being a perennial, just like mint plants. Once you start growing them, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have marjoram forever. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a subtle aromatic plant with a delicate but delicious scent that gives dishes a twist, besides having medicinal properties. Sun exposure - Full exposure. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - April to June Harvesting season - Fifteen days to one month after planting (June to October)

Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium Another mint plant that smells of Alentejo. You can grow it with a combination of other mints or alone in a pot. Sun exposure - Sun or half-shadow. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - Autumn or spring Harvesting season - Fifteen days to one month after planting or sowing.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Thyme Thymus vulgaris Lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodorus) Thyme is definitely one of my favourite aromatic plants to grow, in a garden or pot. They are resilient, have a beautiful and intense flowering, a rural scent and make beautiful flower beds and borders, requiring very low maintenance. I have thyme and lemon thyme in two separate pots of 20 cm each and I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t replanted them in over two years. Sun exposure - Full exposure. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - Sow between April and May; plant between April and May and September to October. Harvesting season - Any time of the year.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Parsley Petroselium crispum Parsley is an annual plant essential to any mediterranean kitchen, therefore also indispensable in every terrace. There are many varieties that can be grown separately, together in pots or mixed with sage and spring onion plants. The parsley plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roots should never be too hot so avoid metallic containers that heat up during the summer. Harvest whole stems of parsley because it will always sprout again. Sun exposure - Half-shadow. Life cycle - Biennial Planting/sowing season - March - May Harvesting season - Two months after sowing, fifteen days to a month after planting.

Sage Salvia officinalis Typical plant of the mediterranean area, usually used either as an ornamental plant, an aromatic plant or a seasoning. There are many kinds but not all of them are edible. It is very used in Italian cooking for pasta and meat dishes. Sun exposure - Sun. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - After March Harvesting season - Two months after sowing, fifteen days to a month after planting.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

Winter savory Satureja montana Winter savory plant was used long ago by the Greeks and Romans, both for its seasoning qualities and therapeutical properties. Winter savory is essential when cooking with scented clusters of plants to season different dishes because it is so aromatic and a great rustic plant. It always holds a place in the spotlight in any garden or balcony and the more you use, the more you like it. Sun exposure - Sun. Life cycle - Perennial Planting/sowing season - Sow in April; plant in April or October. Harvesting season - Five months after sowing or two months after planting.

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TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home

The spread of vegetable and aromatic plants

The best time of the year to propagate these plants is during spring and summer. Most vegetable and aromatic plants are easy to multiply through sowing, cuttings and clumps division. Another option is to buy cheaper plants in trays from specialised plant nurseries or markets.

If you choose to sow vegetable plants, remember most of them are cold sensitive so seeding should be done in a sheltered place until the weather gets warmer.

Finally, always let a few months go by before moving cuttings or sowed plants to their definitive place.â&#x20AC;Š

! ! ! Esfera dos Livros http://www.esferadoslivros.pt/

Minigarden http://www.minigarden.net/â&#x20AC;Š

TERESA CHAMBEL A green revolution at home