Christian Gardeners International

Chokos (Sechium edule) Genesis 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. Also known as chaco, chayote or mango squash Is a tropical perennial vine The vine can grow up to 7m a year The fruit is shaped like an avocado or a pear Is a warm season crop Has large, heart shaped leaves Is an easy crop to grow Has colors either yellow or green One choko can weigh up to 1kg They are at their best taste when they are small The roots, seeds, leaves and shoots can also be eaten They can be boiled, steamed or baked How to Grow Need a sunny or warm site They need plenty of space Dig lots of compost in where it is to grow Can be grown on a trellis or fence Sow or plant Spring and Summer A mature fruit with a seed that is shooted is needed Place it 10cm(4in) deep on its side Water choko plants in dry weather Use a complete fertiliser Harvesting Cut the fruit from th...

Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) Psalms 106:22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea. Is a perennial The leaves are dark green in color The leaves are poisonous The leaves contain oxalic acid which is toxic Temperate and cold districts are the best climates The sweetness of rhubarb varies depending on the age of stems It yields about 4-13kg per 3m(10ft) row Rhubarb is grown by itself in a seperate bed Is an ingredient in pies, desserts and crumbles The roots of rhubarb have been used in chinese medicine Rhubarb as a companion can be grown with parsley Rhubarb crowns can be purchased to get an earlier crop How to Grow Sow or plant Spring, Autumn and Winter In full sunlight to half shade positions Sow seed 2.5cm(1in) deep and 15cm(6in) apart Place plants 75cm apart in rows 30cm(12in) apart Keep well watered Liquid fertiliser helps plants Harvesting The leaves are poisonous do not eat them The stems are harv...

We should read and study the Bible because it is God's word to us. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  It is God's very words to us. There are so many questions that philosophers have asked that God answers for us in Scripture. What is the purpose to life? Where did I come from? Is there life after death? How do I get to heaven? Why is the world full of evil? Why do I struggle to do good? In addition to these "big" questions, the Bible gives much practical advice in areas such as: What do I look for in a mate? How can I have a successful marriage? How can I be a good friend? How can I be a good parent? What is success and how do I achieve it? How can I change? What really matters in life? How can I live so that I do not look back with regret? How can I handle the unfair circumstances and bad events of life victoriously? We should read and stud...

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea italica) Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Also known as calabrese or green sprouting broccoli A fast growing (vigorous) plant Is a close relative of cauliflower Is easier to grow than cauliflower Has become very popular Comes in purple or green colors It is best grown through the cooler months Is a good source of vitamins A. C and E It is also rich in calcium, minerals and folate Grows up to 90cm(2ft) tall 10 plants is recommended for a family of 4 Broccoli can be steamed or boiled How to Grow Grow in the same methods as cabbage Sow seed Spring, Summer and Autumn Sow seed 45cm(18in) apart in rows 45cm(18in) or Sow seed in punnets/pots and transplant them when 10cm(4in) tall Apply a liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks Harvesting Cut the central head while it is still firm Harvest any sideshoots that come along later ...

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis) Psalms 103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. Are a cool season crop Have been cultivated for hundreds of years Are closely related to broccoli Cauliflowers are large plants Produce a head called a curd The head is produced in the center of surrounding leaves They have a reputation of being hard to grow well In the 19th century they were a symbol of luxury Smaller leaves around the base of the curd can be eaten They can be put into a salad or soup or served with a sauce 5 cauliflowers can be grown in a 3m(10ft) row How to Grow Sow seed Mid summer to Autumn Sow seed in punnets/seed boxes When seedlings are 8cm(3in) high transplant them The ground needs fertile, crumbly soil With lots of organic matter dug into the soil Place transplanted plants 60cm apart Keep the soil moist Use a water soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks Control weeds Direc...

Swedes (Brassica napus) Job 8:17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones. Also called rutabaga or Russian turnip or Swedish turnip Is a root crop grown in cooler climates They are closely related to turnips The flesh is yellow the skin can be green, white or purple Need a long season for a good size Yield about 6kg per 3m(10ft) row The roots can be boiled or baked Can be added to soups, stews or vegetable dishes Swedes can be used as livestock fodder How to Grow Spring, Summer or Autumn A sunny site with fertile soil Sow seeds 23cm(9in) apart in rows 40cm (16in)  Water well in dry weather Control weeds A water fertiliser will help with growth Harvesting  16-26 weeks after sowing When roots are 10-15cm(4-6in) across they are ready Varieties Champion Purple Top - Yellow flesh Hunters Butter - white skin and white flesh See More! The easy guide to Turnips http://cga777.blogspot...

Turnips (Brassica rapa) Proverbs 12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. Also known as rappina, rappone or rapini Are grown for their roots or leaves called turnip tops Roots can be flat, round or long Can be white, purple, green or yellow Are biennial plants grown as annuals Are closely related to swedes The roots can be boiled or baked Can be added to soups, stews or vegetable dishes Young turnips can be added to a salad Have been grown since ancient times in Europe Turnips can be used as livestock fodder A 3 meter(10ft) row can yield up to 30 turnips How to Grow Can be sown nearly all year round Prefers cooler weather Sow seed 10cm(4in) apart in rows 15cm apart Water regularly Control weeds A water fertiliser will help with growth Harvesting  Turnips take 8-12 weeks from sowing Pull them before they are tennis ball size Young turnip leaves can be eaten as greens ...

Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) Hosea 14:5 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. A root crop that is hardy They are cream or white in appearance Have a distinct flavour The quicker the growth the sweeter the flavour Are usually bigger than carrots Can be grown with fast growing radishes or turnips Can yield 4kg in a 3 meter long row Early English settlers took this plant to North America If You can grow carrots You can grow these They are good in stews, soups, roasted or fried How to grow Sow seed Spring, Late Summer, Autumn and Winter Need an open sunny site Need a deep soil Sow seed 20cm(8in) apart in rows 30cm(12in) Water only if it is very dry Grow better with no weeds A water soluble fertiliser can help growth Harvesting  Usually 16-20 weeks after sowing Use a long fork or trowel to carefully lift roots Pull roots out when they reach the desired size They can be le...

Rock Melons (Cucumis melo) Psalms 105:41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. Also known as cantaloupes, sweet melons or musk melons Are warm season plants in warm temperate, sub tropical or tropical regions Are trailing annuals Are grown like cucumbers, marrows or squash The flesh can be pale green to orange Usually the fruit weigh from 1-3kg Can be grown in 10-14 weeks Yield is 2-4 fruits per plant Plants grow best at 25oC (77oF) How to Grow Fertile well drained soil A warm and sunny position Soil temperature must be 20oC or more Sow seed Spring and Summer Sow seed 1m apart Harvesting Pick when the stalk comes of the fruit For best flavour Store in a warm room for 2-3 days They last several weeks in a refrigerator Varieties Hales Best - Sweet orange juicy flesh,  mildew resistant Honey Dew - White skin with sweet green flesh Nutmeg - Ripens well i...

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) 1 John 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. Are warm season plants Grown in temperate, sub tropical and tropical climates They are grown like squashes or cucumbers There are seeds and seedless varieties The need plenty of space Vines can run 4 meters or more Melons cut in half can be used as bowls The flesh contains 95% water They yield one or 2 fruit per plant 4-6 plants is sufficient for a family Children love watermelons They were grown in ancient Egypt How to Grow Sow Spring and Summer They need a long growing season Fertile well drained soil A warm and sunny position Soil temperature must be 20oC or more Sow seed 1-2 meters apart When flowering begins fertilise the plants Watermelons like watering to grow well Harvesting Pick when fully ripe That is when the stem dries and the fruit changes colour Melons stor...

Carrots (Daucus carota) Psalms 80:9 Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. Many can be grown in a small space A popular root crop An easy crop to grow in a wide range of soils Grown throughout the world High in vitamin A and sugar There are different shapes of carrots There are different colors Carrots can stay well in the ground after maturity Carrots can be grown in large 25cm(10in) containers Carrots will end up fork shaped in stony ground How to Grow Sow Spring and Summer Likes deep ,crumbly well drained soil Sow seed direct where they will grow Sow seed 1cm(1/2in) deep in rows 15cm(6in) apart Keep the carrots damp but not waterlogged Thin carrots that are crowded leaving space for existing ones Watering helps the roots to grow larger Do not overfeed carrots with a fertilizer Harvesting Pull the first roots when 15mm(1/2in) thick On heavy ground use a fork to help l...

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) 2 Timothy 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Also called courgettes Have history going back to Italy Skin colors can be dark green, mottled green or yellow Are related to pumpkins, summer squashes Can be cooked whole or used raw in salads A warm season crop Large zucchinis are called marrows 4-6 plants are recommended for an average family Have both male and female flowers Relatively fast and easy to grow Can yield 6-12 fruits per plant The flowers, tendrils and shoot tips can be eaten How to Grow Sow mid Spring to early Summer An open sunny position Organic matter worked into the soil works well Sow 2.5cm(1in) deep with plants to be 90cm(3ft) apart Keep slugs/snails away from plants Water plants in hot weather Fertilize when flowering begins Mulch around plants Harvesting Should be ready to pick 8-12 weeks after sowing Harvest first zucchinis when 10cm(4in) long Ca...

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: A popular salad vegetable A warm season vegetable Come in many shapes and sizes Goes well with tomato and lettuce Have little food value but a good taste Have been around since ancient times 4-6 plants will enough for a family of four Can be grown on a fence or trellis Can be grown on wigwams or wires Can be grown in fruit case boxes or in large tubs Can be grown in a greenhouse or glasshouse There are mildew resistant varieties Average yield for cucumbers is 15 fruits per plant Immature cucumbers are known as gherkins How to grow Sow seed mid Spring to mid Summer Likes rich well drained soil Soil temperature should be at least 20oC Sow seeds 45cm(18in) apart in rows 60cm(24in) apart Keep the plants well watered Plants benefit from mulching When flowering begins use a nitrogen fertilizer Harvesting Cucumbers c...

Pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima) Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Also known as winter squash Are annual and are either bushes or vines Are hard skinned fruits picked when fully mature Used in mainly in roasts, soups, baking and pies Pumpkins can be anywhere from 1-50kg Vines can take up alot of garden space Some vine varieties could trail up to 10m(33feet) Bush types are better for small gardens Are related to cucumbers, squashes, zucchini and other cucurbits Historically they come from Central and South America Pumpkins are grown for decoration as well as food Pumpkin seeds are edible and contain fats and protein Can be deep fried and eaten as nuts Some pumpkins store for more weeks or better than others Fully mature pumpkins taste and store better How to grow Prefers a sunny, good, well drained soil Requires a long...

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) Psalms 80:9 Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. Also known as garden beet or table beet A popular vegetable Is grown for its bulb in the ground Roots can be globe or tube shaped Beetroot can be grown in deep containers It is a biennial but usually grown as an annual It can be cooked and eaten hot or cold Or pickled in vinegar for a salad Young leaves of beetroot can be eaten How to grow Likes any soil that is well drained Sow anytime of the year Seed can be soaked overnight to better germination A sunny position is a good location Sow seed direct where it is to grow Sow seed 10cm(4in) apart in rows 25cm(10in) apart Any weeds can be hoed or raked out Harvesting Is usually ready 8-12 weeks after sowing The ideal root size is 5-7cm(2-3in) Varieties Burpee's Golden - Sweet golden flesh Chioggia - Red and white striped rings Cylindrica - Long, ...

Spring Onions (Allium cepa) Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Also known as scallions, salad onions or green onions Are immature bulb onions grown for their stem and leaves They are good eaten raw in salads or in stir fries A 3m(10ft) row can be used to grow a huge 250-300 spring onions The onion family goes back to times in ancient Egypt Onions have medicinal properties How to grow Sow Spring, Summer, Autumn Rich, well drained soil is best Sow seed 1cm(1/2in) apart in rows 30cm(12in) apart It is best to keep them free from weeds Harvesting Are ready to harvest when they are 15cm(6in) tall however they can be left in the ground to grow bigger See More! The easy guide to Radishes http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/radish.html The easy guide to Potatoes http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/potatoes-solanum-tuberosum-isaiah...