Food is a very important need for everyone. The current food crisis in several countries is certainly a special concern for Indonesia. The impact of the world food crisis is considered to have an impact on the national food sector. Therefore, the government urges people to do gardening by planting food for their (basic need) such as chillies and shallots at home.
By gardening at home, you can help maintain your family's food security and curb inflation. You can use the soil in your yard or if that's not possible, you can use polybag, pots, old buckets, or barrels. Choose plants that are easy to maintain, quick to harvest, and not susceptible to pests or diseases. Here are some types of plants that you can grow:
- Chili
You can plant chillies in pots, polybag, or directly in the ground. To plant them, you only need to sprinkle dried chilli seeds. Water regularly although chillies can grow easily in hot weather. Chillies can be harvested within 2 - 4 weeks after planting.
2. Shallots and garlic
These two ingredients must be used in cooking because they can make food more delicious. It's easy to plant, just put a few pieces of rooted onion into the soil. Place them in an area that is exposed to sunlight and water them regularly with enough water.
3. Tomato
You can start with the process of sowing seeds in soil that is not too dense so that water can flow smoothly. Make sure to plant tomatoes in an area that is exposed to direct sunlight. Plant the seeds in rows and make sure they are 5 cm apart. This is done so that the tomatoes do not grow in clusters and overlap with other stems that can interfere with growth.
4. Aubergine
Purple terong, which has large fruits, can be grown in small media such as pots or polybags. One polybag is usually used for one seedling that has been sown first. Once the seedlings are transplanted into the polybag, you need to stick a 5-10cm wooden/bamboo stick as a support. Place the pots in a shady place because this plant is sensitive if it gets too hot.
5. Green mustard
Green mustard is classified as a crop that has a short harvest time of 40 - 70 days. You can grow it in soil or with a hydroponic system. However, if the surrounding environment is cold, make sure the vegetables are exposed to direct sunlight. And vice versa, if the environment is hot, you can grow these vegetables in shady places, such as under shady trees and transparent alderon roofs.
6. Leek
Leeks are one of the plants that are often served as a complementary ingredient in cooking. Planting leeks is relatively easy, fast, and is a type of plant that is resistant to heat and rain. There are two planting methods you can choose from. First, with the generative method, which is planting from seeds. Secondly, you can use the vegetative method by separating the leeks into several stems and then plugging the white coloured part to the roots into the soil. Usually within two days, new shoots will appear and you can start harvesting within 2 - 3 weeks.
7. Spinach
Spinach is one of the most suitable plants to grow at home. You can start by sowing the seeds. Place the spinach seeds in soil that has been mixed with fertiliser. Give some space between one seed to another so that they do not germinate in clusters. This sowing process lasts for about a month. Once the seeds have germinated, the next step is to move them to a larger pot. Note that spinach plants will grow in a humid environment. So you need to maintain the humidity by watering them regularly.
8. Kale
Kale is one of the most popular dishes in Indonesia. The planting process is quite easy. If the planting medium has been prepared, place the kale seeds in a hole with a depth of 5 cm. Make the distance between holes about 20 cm so that the growth of kale vegetable plants is not clustered. You can sow up to 5 kale seeds in one hole. You can also plant them by cutting the roots and planting them in the ground. Kangskung can be harvested at the age of 3 - 4 weeks.
