June 22, 2022
stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener since ancient times for many drinks and beverages. It grows best in shaded conditions and produces leaves that taste like licorice! Interested in giving this plant a try in the garden?
Stevia prefers a sunny, outdoor location with well-draining soil and plenty of air circulation. Make sure your growing area has at least six hours of sunlight and is away from any nearby trees that may provide too much shade.
Stevia is best planted in early spring or late summer. Once you have chosen your planting site, dig a hole about twice the depth of the stevia roots and wide enough to fully accommodate them.
Once stevia is established, you should water it regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Be sure to pull up any weeds that are competing with your stevia for nutrients and water. Additionally, prune your stevia weekly to ensure optimal air circulation.
Stevia is ready to be harvested when the leaves are full and rich in flavor. Cut stems off at their base to ensure the plant stays healthy. After harvesting, dry the leaves in the sun and then store them in an airtight container for future use.
OK, gardening time. Growing stevia is a lot of fun. Plus, they are tasty and healthy!
It is a tender perennial that grows well in soils with pH of 4.5. Stevia ideally wants sandy loam or loamy soil to grow in. Sandy loam simply means soil consisting of less than 7 percent clay, less than 50 percent silt, and between 43 and 50 percent sand.
You are obviously also going to need seeds!
This plant needs full sun.
Sow the stevia seeds three inches apart, and about a half-inch deep. Immediately after planting, water the area gently to help the soil settle. Remember to keep the soil evenly moist as the seeds germinate!
Stevia should be sown at a depth of 0.25 inches (1 cm).
The stevia seeds should germinate in 10-16 days. Stevia seedlings emerge in 2 to 3 weeks after sowing. Provide direct sunlight for germination and keep the soil moist.