Growing Vegetables In Malaysia, Planting Calendar

Growing Vegetables in Malaysia

Hello gardeners, we are back with a new topic today and the topic is all about growing vegetables in Malaysia and the vegetable planting calendar of Malaysia. Do you live in Malaysia and do you want to grow your own vegetables? Well and then you will need to follow this complete article to grow vegetables in Malaysia. In this article, we will also mention all the requirements for growing vegetables in Malaysia.

Introduction to Growing Vegetables in Malaysia and Planting Calendar

Some of the vegetables and herbs bloom in Malaysia. Some examples are Bak Choy, okra, long beans, eggplant, and even curry leaves are just a random selection of the flavourful produce you are likely to see on plates in Malaysian restaurants. Planting your own vegetables from seeds is easy, fun, and even inexpensive. The first thing you require to know for planning your vegetable garden is selecting what you love to eat. Remember it’s your ultimate supermarket store; it’s not only convenient but also tailored to your taste.

But once local area platters are loaded with more tropical choices such as heirloom tomatoes, tamarillo, purple carrots, fennel the automatic managing is that air miles have been clocked and the word imported is instinctually attached because these are vegetables and herbs typically associated with colder climate conditions.

A Step-by-Step Planting Guide for Growing Vegetables in Malaysia

Growing and planting your own fresh herbs and vegetables is a delightful activity, essentially in a forever summer season in Malaysia. If you are planting tomatoes, cabbage, or lettuce for the first time, then read on. In this blog post, you will learn everything you require to know about planting a vegetable garden bed as a beginner. Do you know that if you plant a tomato plant, it can supply you with vegetables around the season? As you can see, having your vegetable garden bed at home is not only fun, it’s a great way to save money. Another reason for you to plant your own vegetable garden is that the flavor and the quality of varieties of vegetables are much improved than the ones you buy from the grocery store. There is nothing improved than to enjoy favorable, sun-warmed tomatoes fresh from your backyard. And believe us, growing vegetable plants in containers, raised beds and the garden ground is a lot of fun. Plus is a great way to spend time outdoors in the sunlight. With this article, we hope that you can get the best and very easy vegetable garden this season.

Things to Remember When Growing Vegetables in Malaysia

  • Organizing Your Space

Once you know what to plant, then you need to start buying your vegetable seeds and figuring out the right quantity of space you require. Remember you don’t always require a large space, to start with. For example, if you want to grow vegetables in containers, you don’t even require a backyard and all you require is a deck or balcony that will supply plenty of space. It is important to retain your growing space healthy. A very good size for a beginner’s vegetable garden is about 16 x 10 feet, which can easily feed a family of four for one summer. The most important thing to consider when you want to vegetable plant indoors is the quantity of space you have in your home. But sometimes, it is not about how very big your place is but how you can customize it to save space. Here are some ways you can plant indoors when you live in a very small house or an apartment:

  • Container Gardening
  • Vertical Gardening
  • Hanging Planter

#1 Container Gardening

It is the basis of all different types of gardening. You can plant almost any vegetable plant you want if you have a container. It is also very space-enough and very easy for the plants to move through for sunlight.

#2 Vertical Gardening

Don’t have much floor space in the apartment? Then go vertical. Consider vertical gardens if you don’t have an outdoor limited space or very large window sills.

#3 Hanging Planters

Hanging your vegetable plants is also a great way to save space. You can also save the environment and your budget by recycling. Don’t forget to suitable place them where the sunlight hits. A few hours of morning sun is sufficient for the plants so observe a spot where the morning sun hits.

  • Sunlight Requirement

The majority of vegetable plants usually need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. Some microgreens need almost 18 hours of light but worry not; you can use a light lamp or a mat to retain them warm. So the spot you choose must offer ample sunlight. Keep in mind that the well-drained soil temperature depends on the sun to keep the vegetables going and become resistant to insects and disease. Ensure that you plant your ground vegetable garden in a place that is exposed to light most of the day. The more sunlight they receive, the greater the harvest, the bigger the vegetables, and that improves the taste. But don’t worry if you don’t have a spot in direct full sunlight because you can still grow vegetables such as lettuce and spinach. And if you live in a place where the climate is hot, other vegetable plants, such as peas may do improve in part partial shade.

  • Choosing the right soil

You need to pick well-drained soil and that is the most important step when it comes to growing any plants as it will determine the success of your plants. You can grow almost any plant that grows very easily if you water them daily and get your well-drained soil right. A great way to know whether your plant requires more water is to simply put a finger in the soil to check its moisture level.  Remember that its roots require water, so always ensure the water reaches the roots and not only the upper soil.

Having good soil is essential. The soil needs to be:

  • Moist soil, well-drained
  • Rich in organic manure, such as compost or even peat moss.

It is a good very idea to use a soil thermometer to track the soil temperature, which is virtual to retain your vegetable plants alive and well.

  • Water Regularly

It is a very good idea to observe a spot to plant your vegetable garden near to the water source as this can make all the work easier for you. Remember that you will require to give them water during drought, especially when vegetables planting such as tomatoes, peppers, or any other warm-season vegetable. It is important to retain your plants well-watered for a good harvest, especially during flowering and fruit set. Perfectly, by installing a watering system it will help make sure your planting medium is kept moist condition at all time. Otherwise, common hose pipes and watering can do the job. The best time to water is early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

  • Harvesting

Harvesting the vegetable plants is the most exciting part. It is our reward after to be disposed of the garden ground every day. Now, these are two main factors to good harvest:

Timing: timing is not too soon or too late

The right way to harvest: It is a good time to harvest without damaging the vegetable plants and enabling longer storage

How to Germinate Seed and Transplanting Seedlings?

There are many methods of seed germination given below here. Select the method that is most suitable for you are:

  • Peat pot
  • Paper towel
  • Direct Sowing
  • Container

#1 Peat pot

A peat pot is a high-quality squeeze substrate that will expand into a vegetable planting medium when added with water. The consistent moist condition is ideal for those thirsty seeds during the germination process. It is very easy to use and most suggested for vegetable garden beginners.

Method:

  • Select the suitable spot the peat pot in a transparent container
  • Add water onto the peat pot making ensure to soak each pellet thoroughly
  • Wait for the peat pots to fully enlarge and drain off the excess water
  • Plant two seeds of vegetable in the center hole of each peat pot
  • Cover the transparent container with its lid
  • Place the container on the sunny window sill
  • Open and close the lid daily to protect the mould. Sprinkle some water if essential to maintain the moisture level
  • Once the seeds have germinated, move the set outdoors in a partially shaded area and leave the lid open
  • Keep a small quantity of water in the bottom of the tray to retain the pot moist but not soaked
  • Grow the vegetable seedlings until it is about 8cm in tall or ready to be transplanted
  • Layer the garden ground with the prepared well-drained soil
  • Use the back of the hoope rake to make the ground smooth and level. Remove any rocks, pebbles, sticks, or debris
  • With the trowel, handle create a hole about 1.5 times the medium size of the expanded peat pot on where you wish to transplant. Make sure sufficient spacing
  • Remove the seedlings from the container by pushing up from below ensure the roots are not disturbed
  • Gently spot the seedlings and root ball into the hole
  • Fill any gap with well-drained soil
  • Gently water the seedlings

#2 Paper towel

It is a very simple well-drained soil-less method. The substances required are the paper towel and transparent container.

Method:

  • First, wet a square of paper towel and compressed off excess water
  • Place the moist paper towel into the transparent container
  • Add two seeds on the top of the paper towel, making sure there is a gap between the seeds
  • Cover the transparent container with its lids
  • Place the container on the sunny window sill
  • Open and close the lid daily to protect the mould. Sprinkle some water if essential to maintain the moisture level
  • Gently remove the seedlings individually and transplant them to the garden ground filled with well-drained soil. When the weather conditions in your area are safe for the young vegetable plant before they become embedded into the paper towel

#3 Direct Sowing

This is the regular method and is preferred for some plants that resent having their roots disturbed as there is no transplanting involved. Most importantly you require to make sure prepare the well-drained soil is done properly.

Method:

  • Layer the garden ground with prepared well-drained soil
  • Use the back of the hoop rake to make the ground smooth and level. Remove any rocks, pebbles, stick, or debris
  • Add water the prepare the soil
  • Add 2 seeds on the soil with enough spacing
  • Cover with a sunlight layer of well-drained soil
  • Gently pat down the soil so the seeds don’t move around
  • Water again gently and evenly
  • Remove the weaker vegetable plants if essential
  • Tolerate the seedlings to grow the mature vegetable plants

#4 Containers

This is similar to direct sowing seeds excluding it is using a container. It is easy to move throughout to protect the seeds and seedlings from extreme weather conditions like heavy rain. Any container that is at least 2 to 3 inches deep with drainage holes can be used. Here some examples of containers are:

  • Germination tray
  • Seeds tray
  • Polybag
  • Grow bag
  • Pot
  • Paper cup
  • Egg carton

Method:

  • Fill the container with well-drained soil leaving about 1cm from the rim
  • Water the prepare the well-drained soil
  • Add seeds on the soil with enough spacing
  • Cover with sunlight layer of soil
  • Gently pat down the soil so the seeds don’t move throughout and water again
  • Place it on the sunny window sill
  • Grow the seedlings until it is about 8cm in tall or ready to be transplanted
  • Layer the garden ground with the prepared well-drained soil
  • Use the back of the hoop rake to make the round smooth and level. Remove any rocks, pebbles, sticks, or debris
  • With the trowel, handle create a hole about 1.5 times the size of the seedlings root balls on where you wish to transplant. Make sure enough spacing
  • Removing the seedlings from the container by pushing up from below ensure roots is not disturbed
  • Gently place the seedling and even root ball into the hole
  • Fill any gap with prepare the soil
  • Gently water the seedlings

Special Vegetables That Grow In Malaysia

  • Red Amaranth
  • Chives
  • Choy sum
  • Pak choi
  • Kangkong

#1 Red Amaranth

Red amaranth is also called a Bayam in Malaysia and it’s a very nutritious vegetable. They require water and sunlight to grow. Amaranth can grow in any well-drained soil condition. You can easily buy the seeds and plant the roots with 7 centimeters of stem above the root level. Frequently confused with spinach, which also stems from the Amaranthaceae family, amaranth comes in a few varieties of color such as purple, red and green. This power-packed leafy vegetable contains the highest quantity of vitamin K, which encourages good bone health and decreases the risk of osteoporosis. Another low maintenance plant, amaranth can grow very well in any soil condition and requires only water and sunlight.

#2 Chives

Chives are a perennial herb that grows better in cool weather conditions. They are also called Kucai. Sow chives seeds in the garden ground for 4 to 6 weeks, and they will germinate in 2 to 3 weeks. Chives require moderate water. The best place to grow chives is to plant them in full sunlight and partial shade. The soil should be rich in organic manure, and well-drained. You require preparing planting grounds in advance with aged compost.

#3 Choy Sum

Choy sum is a favorable vegetable that is not only very easy to grow but easy to cook as well. In Malaysia, it is named as sawi Bunga or sawi manis. Choy sum can be harvested as a microgreen, baby green, and grown-up vegetable. This occurs about 60 days after seeds sowing. The well-drained soil should be moist, so you require to water regularly. Always prevent them from the sun and the rain, for this you can use an umbrella or anything that supplies shade and buffer. Pick a sunny location, you require to use loose fertile soil that is rich in organic manure. Sow seeds into a garden ground or container spread them about 15 centimeters apart. Don’t forget to cover sowed seeds with a thin layer of rich well-drained soil.

#4 Pak Choi

Pak Choi
Pak Choi (pic source: pixabay)

These versatile leafy plants, tasty and low maintenance leaves can be used in salads or stir fry. You can good time to harvest the young Pak Choi leaves to add color to salads or you can let them grown up to use in stir fry. It’s a very good idea to sow the seeds in partial shade and retain them well watered.

#5 Kangkong

Kangkong, is also known as water spinach, is one of the most economically friendly vegetables out there. Although they aren’t that expensive to purchase, you can also try kangkong planting them at home. Ideal for the forgetful gardener, kangkong is one plant that would never spoil or go bad if you miss a watering session or two, as they can last for days or even weeks without water. Select between a basket or a container to grow your kangkong in, and decide on whether you will be growing seeds or transplants. If you are sowing the seeds in fresh potting soil, then sow nearly about 0.5 centimetres deep. Make sure that you retain the seeds moist at all times. If you are choosing to grow the cuttings, which happens to be the easiest way to propagate the kangkong plant, cut just about 30 to 40 centimetres off a young plant growth and plant 15 centimetres deep in a potting mix.

Common Vegetables to Grow in Malaysia

  • Chilli pepper
  • Eggplant
  • Cucumber
  • Okra
  • Lettuce
  • Sweet corn

#1 Chilli pepper

Pepper
Pepper (Image credit: pixabay)

Chilli pepper is very easy to grow, all you require is a container of approximately 50 centimetres to get started. Of course, if you planted the seeds in the garden ground, it would grow much bigger. If you want to be successful in growing a chilli plant, you require to make sure it gets plenty of sunlight, heat, moisture, and humidity condition. Chilli is a staple ingredient in Malaysian cuisine, frequently used in fried rice, curry, and other favourites to add a fiery punch. If you are only just beginning to delve into the world of vegetable gardening, chilli seems to be the ideal way to begin, as it needs very little maintenance. However, one can admit that they are ornamental pleasing, and pretty to look at. Decorative materials aside, you can always rely on chilli to add another dimension of flavour to your dish when required.

#2 Eggplants

Growing yellow eggplant is also called Terung Telunjuk in Malaysia is very prolific. The seeds require fertile, well-drained organic soil, it’s important to retain the soil moist to promote maximum growth. Sow seeds about 0.60 to 1.20 centimetres space young eggplants 3.80 centimetres apart and in rows 5 to 6.30 centimetres apart. It’s very important to start to harvest eggplants as soon as the first fruit reaches an advisable size.

#3 cucumbers

Cucumbers are great incorporation into your diet because they are high in magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A, C and K, plus they are a very good source of protein and low in calories. Cucumbers grow in a well-drained location and they need very rich soil with plenty of organic compost.

#4 Okra

Okra is very easy to grow from seeds and it also looks beautiful around the growing season because of its beautiful flowers and fruit. It’s great incorporation into your diet because it’s also rich in vitamin A and low in calories. Plant Okra plant in well-drained soil, rich in organic manure, in full sunlight about 1.20 to 2.50 centimeters deep and 30 to 45 centimeters apart. Remember Okra plants are tall, so they require space to grow.

#5 Lettuces

In case if you miss this: How To Grow Strawberries In Greenhouse.

Lettuce
Lettuce (Pic source: pixabay)

You can turn your balcony into a salad bar with this lettuce. It is also a called ang moh vegetable. Retain them watered regularly and away from direct sunlight. If you have a medium-sized or large box, you can sow the lettuce seeds directly in this optimum container without transferring them from smaller containers as we have done with the other vegetable plants. If you want to get into the garden mode, grow them in rows, and it should line up nicely. Lettuce leaves can be ready to eat in three to five months. Snails love them too, and if you’re living on the garden ground, these slimy leave eaters can get to it, slowly but easily. You can crush some eggshells and separate them throughout the lettuce leaves, this scares off the snails as they don’t like to glide over the pokey shells.  Eggshells are a natural organic source of calcium too. The lettuce you grow may not be in supermarket sizes, so you may have to grow twice the quantity you want to eat.

#6 Sweet corn

Sweet corn or more fondly is also called a Jagung Manis in Malaysia is very most popular because it not only tastes great and looks good, it is very easy to grow from seeds. All you require to grow sweet corn in full sunlight and rich, well-drained organic soil. Remember to water regularly, especially in dry weather conditions.

Common Vegetable Planting Calendar in Malaysia

VegetablesGerminationDays to maturityHarvest
Pepper8 to 16 days90 to 105 daysAug to Sept
Okra3 to 10 days55 to 80 daysJune to Nov
Cucumber6 to 10 days55 to 65 daysJune to Aug
Lettuce4 to 10 days55 to 80 daysJune to Nov
Sweet corn6 to 10 days60 to 90 daysJune to Sept
Eggplant3 to 12 days50 to 150 daysAugust to Sept
Tomato6 to 14 days55 to 90 daysJune to Sept

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