Plant Camp Monday's

Lets talk about Lemon Grass at the camp this week!

This spring I bought a small lemon grass plant for the herb garden. I had grown lemon grass before and it never got to big but this plant is growing wonderful. Its way over a yard high and so full and the bugs are staying away from it.




I do have to keep hubby away cuz he thinks its a weed grass. He's banned from my gardens when he has taken out a few crops by not knowing whats what. He gets to mow the grass and so he gets his cutting down stuff that way. I have come running out of the house screaming to many times when I see a plant in danger of the mower, so boundaries have been set. Sometimes a gardener's gotta use tough love if they want a garden still standing : /

I was introduced to this herb when I did a 100 mile local foods challenge one summer. I had to be creative and I wanted to use herbs from my garden. Eat foods that were raised and grown in a 100 mile radius. I wanted to try something I don't cook much of and I like, Asian food.


I didn't have lemon grass growing at the time but I did buy a tube of lemon grass puree. I worked up a Thai dish and it was a hit so I went in search for lemon grass to grow.

Lemon Grass Cymbopogon ciatrus


Theres some health benefits of Lemon Grass you might like to check out
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-2-2006-107399.asp

How about a lot of pictures of lemon grass, here ya go!


http://www.google.com/images?rlz=1T4TSHB_enUS312US313&q=lemongrass&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=fTVWTN2RIJP2swPCm4TYDA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CEsQsAQwAw

I haven't done anything with my plant but plans to dry some and maybe powder it up as well. I'm thinking lemon pepper on chicken and grill, yum. Also would be good sprinkled on veggies. How about wrapping the leaves around ears of corn and grill , might give it a nice new flavor.

Lemon Grass is a member of the Poaceae family, which includes all the common grasses. Originally from Malaysia, it does well in any humid climate. No wonder its doing well here in Missouri. Its been hot and humid.

You can harvest Lemon Grass several times in a season by cutting the upper portion of the leafy part. I will need to bring inside and try and keep for replanting in next spring. I will see if I can get seed from it as well.

Dry the leaves for a zesty tea, hot or cold. It has a light lemony taste with a slight hint of ginger. Its a good pick me up when your drag'n and good for the digestion too. Helps ease the pain of arthritis

Naturally caffeine-free and taste great. Recent studies show that Lemon Grass has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. So this plant is a good one to add in your herb garden. It really would be nice added in any type of gardens, flowers and veggies.

Do you grow Lemon Grass? Maybe cook with it? Tried the tea?

Thanks for dropping by this week at the camp. I learn a bit more about the plants I grow. This week for sure I'll make some lemon grass tea , cuz it s a push week and I know I'll need a pick me up.

Take good care and have a great week, see ya at the camp

tc linda