Malabar spinach plants grow in India and throughout the tropics, primarily in the moist lowlands. While the dark green leaves resemble those of spinach, this is a vine type of plant that thrives in hot temps, even exceeding 90 F. (32 C.) Cool temperatures cause Malabar spinach to creep. It is grown as an annual, but grows like a perennial in regions that are frost free.

Malabar Spinach is a rapid growing Indian spinach. Leaves are broad, dark green and thick. The plants are very tender and attractive. Repeated harvest can start 25 days after planting. 

How to Grow Malabar Spinach

Birdhouse gourd is a hard-shelled gourd, a type of tropical squash (cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae) native to northern Africa. 

These gourds display curvy, hourglass shaped fruits that are often dried out and used for bottles and birdhouses.

A leafy vegetable with large, light green , round leaves and red nervures in the center. Tolerant to heat but not cold.

This variety has large, light green, round leaves and red nervures in the center. The plant produces a high yield of tender leaves even in warmer weather. Amaranth will tolerate hot, dry and moist condition but will not thrive in cold temperatures.  

Day to maturity: around 40 days. 

Leaf shape : round

Cold tolerance : Excellent

Heat tolerance : Excellent

Harvest from sowing : 25 days

Optimal temperatures : 25~35℃

Optimal temperatures (Fahrenheit) : 77 - 95

Amaranth has many common names: Chinese spinach, edible amaranth, bayan (Malaysia and Indonesia), Calaloo (Caribbean), klaroen (Surinam),Xian cai (Mandarin) Yin choi/in tsoi (Cantonese) Hi-yu-na, Jave hohrensoh (Japanese). Its’ origins are in the tropics of the Carribbean, Asian and African, but now has spread all over the world. They are exceptionally nutritious plants, and from ancient times, seed and leaves of cultivated and wild forms have been used by man for food, medicine and animal fodder. Many exhibit striking colors in leaves and flowers and have been grown as ornamental plants in the west. Known as Red Calaloo in the Caribbean, it has medium green, oval to heart-shaped leaves that are overlaid with burgundy red. Comparable to spinach in taste, the leaves are a good source of dietary fiber and contain high amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is often used in soups. For practical purposes the Amaranthus species can be divided into the following groups according to their main use today: leafy Amaranths, grain Amaranths, decorative Amaranths and weeds. Because the leaves of all Amaranths are edible, all can be considered a vegetable. The leafy Amaranths are the best for cultivating. They are erect, branching, short lived annuals with an average height of about 35cm-150cm when flowering. Leaves are soft textured and go limp quickly after being picked. Both the leaves and stems are edible and delicious. The flavor can be described as ‘like artichokes’ and ’spinach with a bit of a twang’. 

Largely used in Indian and Mexican foods. It can be used to season chili, soups, sausage, and cheese.

Cuminum cyminum, commonly known as cumin, is a spice derived from the dried seeds of a small, slender annual herb in the parsley family (Apiaceae), native to the Mediterranean and parts of Asia. The seeds are small, oblong, and yellow-brown, measuring about 0.5 cm in length, while the plant itself bears delicate white to pale pink flowers. Cumin is prized for its earthy, warm, nutty flavor with subtle bitterness and occasional citrus notes, paired with a strong, slightly smoky aroma that becomes more intense when the seeds are lightly toasted. A cornerstone of Indian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisines, cumin is essential in curry powders and spice blends and is widely used in chili, stews, marinades, soups, rice dishes, and grilled meats such as lamb and chicken. It is available whole or ground, with whole seeds often toasted to release their aromatic oils, including compounds like cuminaldehyde that give cumin its distinctive character and depth of flavor.

Common Names: licorice root, licorice, liquorice, sweet root, gan cao, gan zao, Chinese licorice

Latin Names: Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza inflata

Background

Licorice root is cultivated throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It is used as a flavoring in candy, other foods, beverages, and tobacco products.

Licorice root has a long history of use, going back to ancient Assyrian, Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian cultures. It was used traditionally for treating a variety of conditions, including lung, liver, circulatory, and kidney diseases.

Today, licorice root is promoted as a dietary supplement for conditions such as digestive problems, menopausal symptoms, cough, and bacterial and viral infections. Licorice gargles or lozenges have been used to try to prevent or reduce the sore throat that sometimes occurs after surgery. Licorice is also an ingredient in some products for topical use (application to the skin).

Perennial (zones 7-10)

14-20 days

Well-drained

Part shade to full sun

12-36" apart

Licorice has long been appreciated as a flavoring in confections, liqueurs and other creations. It's use as a flavorful tea goes back even farther. Licorice tea does not taste exactly like the black licorice sticks you might remember from childhood. That's because most licorice candy is usually flavored with anise.

The typical Nai-Pe-Tsai type pak choy, semiupright plant produces thick, white stems and deep green leaves. Good for warm areas as it is heat tolerant. This Chinese non-heading leaf type has clusters of 8 to 12" wide white celery-like stalks with large, nearly round, smooth, glossy leaves. The mild, mustard-y flavor is not bitter. The young leaves make a wonderful addition to soups, noodle dishes, and stir-fry.

Packet: 9-10 grams of seed

Red veins on dark green leaves. Hybrid.