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 ...