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(Cymbopogon citratus)
Lemongrass provides a good contrast to other broad-leaved herbs in your garden, and its lemony aroma and taste adds another possibility to your recipes. Grown in clumps, this grass can reach a diameter of five feet. It has narrow pale green leaf blades with branched stalks of flowers. Uses In cooking, the leaves are used as a lemon seasoning; or it is also used in combination with other flavors in Asian dishes. The more tender inner leaves and white bulb are often chopped and added to stuffings and salads. Try adding the dried herb to fresh steamed vegetables or to add flavor to a tea. Lemongrass oil is used by aromatherapists to lift a mood. Taken as a tea, lemongrass (not the oil) can be used to treat digestive problems by reducing cramping. The dried leaves can also be added to potpourri. Growing Lemongrass can easily be started from seeds. An easy way to start them is to take an empty plastic mushroom or frozen food container and punch some holes in the bottom for drainage. Place moistened potting soil inside and sprinkle the seeds in, and cover lightly with soil. Tamp down slightly and enclose in a clear plastic bag until sprouted. Plant outside in a sheltered area after last frost. Lemongrass likes at least six hours of sun a day. Keep well watered. It can be kept outside all year round in zones 9-10. All other zones should either keep in a pot or lift in the fall and place in a pot, and bring indoors for the winter. Clumps can be divided to make new plants. This plant is virtually pest free! Recipe Blueberry Breakfast Cake with Lemongrass Ingredients: Directions:
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