મેથી

• Soak seeds overnight, then let them dry a little in a shaded spot before sowing.
• A wide, shallow pot with 6 inches of soil works well.
• Mix a well-draining blend of one-third manure, one-third soil, and one-third washed river sand.
• Sprinkle seeds on top and press gently, don't bury them deep.
• Give the pot at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, with good airflow to prevent damping off.
• Water when the top layer of soil feels dry, keeping it moist but not soggy.
• Once seedlings are about 2 inches tall, add liquid fertiliser or manure, and repeat every 15 days.
• Harvest once plants are about 6 inches tall, usually 3-4 weeks after sowing.
• Don't pull the plant out by its roots, it will regrow and give you further harvests.

• Fresh leaves are cooked as methi; the seeds are used as a spice; and dried leaves (kasuri methi) are a staple seasoning.

These uses are documented for information only and are not medical advice. Always verify the species and the plant part before use.

• agritech.tnau.ac.in
• powo.science.kew.org