Coriander is one of the easiest herbs to grow at home because it does not require a large garden or expensive equipment to start the process; only a pot, quality soil, and a small amount of seeds are needed.
The gardening content creator Dipu, who shares gardening tips on Instagram under the handle @_gardening.with.deepu, presented a simple way to cultivate coriander at home. His method starts with seed preparation and concludes with obtaining fresh coriander leaves in about 35 days.
Seed Preparation
Coriander seeds have a hard outer shell. Dipu advises lightly crushing the seeds so that they split into two halves, but they should not be completely ground; the goal is to separate the two parts of each seed.
The cracked seeds must be placed in water and left for 24 hours to soak, which prepares them for sowing.
Soil Mixture Preparation
A suitable substrate is crucial for coriander. Dipu uses a simple mixture consisting of three components:
- 40 percent garden soil
- 30 percent coconut fiber
- 30 percent compost
He also adds a handful of neem powder and one tablespoon of Trichoderma to this mixture. All ingredients must be thoroughly mixed to ensure even distribution throughout the soil.
Sowing Seeds
The pot or container is filled with the prepared soil mixture. The soaked coriander seeds should be spread on the surface rather than buried deep in the ground. After placing the seeds, they are covered with a thin layer of coconut fiber.
The pot should be watered gently. The soil must remain moist but should not be overwatered. It is important to ensure that the container has drainage holes for excess water to flow out.
After 10 Days
Small green sprouts should appear around the tenth day. It is necessary to maintain light soil moisture and place the pot in a location where the plants receive enough sunlight. At this stage, the seedlings are still fragile, so care should be taken not to disturb the soil around them.
After 30 Days
By the thirtieth day, the plants should have grown into coriander leaf bushes. Soil condition should be checked regularly, and watering should be done as needed. Good sunlight and proper drainage will help the plants develop healthy foliage.
After 35 Days
Around the thirty-fifth day, the coriander will be ready for harvest, depending on the growing conditions. You can cut the necessary leaves and stems, leaving the rest of the plant in the pot. This allows you to use fresh coriander over several meals instead of harvesting the entire crop at once.
Replanting
After harvesting, the coriander can be grown again using the same method. With a small space and regular care, several pots can provide a constant supply of fresh leaves for the kitchen.
Dipu's method keeps the process simple: from splitting and soaking the seeds to preparing the soil and harvesting the leaves. If you have long planned to start a home garden, coriander is a good option to begin with.