How use lemon grass for the patio and your backyard

Plant lemon grass in big pots for the patio… it repeals mosquitos and it grows tall & thick providing a lot of privacy

A versatile herb, lemongrass is prized in the kitchen and known for its medicinal properties. This plant gets its name and unique flavor from citral, the same chemical compound that gives lemon peels their invigorating scent. Sometimes mistakenly called citronella grass, Cymbopogon citratuslends its flavor to ethnic dishes, teas and more.

The Master Gardener Program at the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension says that of the 55 species in the genus Cymbopogon, West Indian lemongrass (C. citratus) is what’s typically used for cooking. This variety can help repel insects, yet is also used to attract honey bees by mimicking the bees’ own pheromones. Other known uses for lemongrass include:

• antifungal
• natural diuretic
• anti-parasitical
• anti-diarrheal
• anti-microbial
• anti-bacterial
• calm the stomach
• break down fats
• stimulate perspiration
• treats colds
• balance the nervous system
• help with stress and exhaustion,
• soothe headaches and muscle pain
• increase circulation
• help with respiratory conditions, sore throats and high cholesterol

Grow It

Lemongrass performs as a perennial in USDA zones 8 and warmer, loves full sun, and can handle intense heat as long as you don’t let its roots dry out. If given well-drained, rich soil, one clump of lemongrass can easily grow into a mound 3-plus feet tall and 6 feet wide, so choose your location well. I planted my 4-inch pot in a spot up by our pool, thinking it would look tropical and lend fragrance to sunbathing. It did, but by the end of summer, that little plant dominated the whole end of the garden bed!

Overwinter lemongrass in zones 1 to 7 by digging a clump of roots, trimming stalks to a few inches tall, and planting in pots. Lemongrass will fill the container you put it in, and root expansion can break a pot that’s too small pot, so start with one at least 12 inches diameter. Set the pot in a sunny spot indoors and keep barely moist, or store in a cool, dark place, watering just enough to keep the roots alive. Once night-time temperatures reach 40 degrees or above, transplant outdoors. Pests are virtually nil, though spider mites might invade when lemongrass is overwintered indoors.

Propagation is easy—if the lemongrass you buy from your grocery produce section contains the entire base, take a few sections before you’ve peeled them, place in a glass of water, and set it in a sunny location.Before too long, you’ll see little roots begin to sprout. When they’ve reached an inch or more in length, transplant into a pot or the sunny garden spot, water regularly and enjoy.

Use It

The first time I cooked with lemongrass, I neglected to research exactly what part to harvest. I just grabbed my kitchen shears, chopped off a nice handful of the arching leaves, washed them, cut to 1-inch lengths and threw them in my Tom Kha Gai soup. The flavor was incredible. However, the grass didn’t wilt into nice little edible shoots as I expected: It was tougher than celery strings and sharp on the edges.

Since then, I’ve learned that while the stems and leaves are great for infusing flavor into teas and broths, you’ll want to bundle them together so you can take them out later. It is the scallion-like base you’re after if you’re going to be eating lemongrass. When stem bases are at least 1/2 inch thick, you can pull or cut them off the main clump. Peel the outer layer to reveal the white inside part. Slicing is easier if you crush the base with the flat of your knife.

This inner stalk lends an Asian flavor to your stir-fry, and pizazz to salads and sauces, as well. Freeze leftovers in zipper-sealed bags, pre-sliced, or slice when partially thawed. Alternately, pur?e and use by the teaspoonful, freezing leftovers.

If you’re unable to use all the fresh leaves during the growing season, harvest a bunch to bundle, hang to dry, then store in tightly sealed containers. Dried lemongrass will remain potent for up to a year if not exposed to light. The dried leaves are great many of the same purposes you’d use the fresh leaves. Alternately, scatter grass stems around your patio, porch or pool to help ward off insects. Other uses for lemongrass include but are not limited to:

• adding interest and fragrance in flower arrangements
• new starts in pretty pots make fun housewarming gifts
• tinctures and balms for topical use
• inclusion in potpourri mixture or favorite teas
• feed for chickens
• compost

All in all, whether you eat it, drink it, apply it, smell it, or more, you’ll be hard put to find a plant as versatile and tasty. Maybe there’s a corner of your yard or garden waiting to host its own burst of lemongrass!

Basic Lemongrass Growing Tips

In the garden, lemongrass usually grows 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, but in tropical areas, it can grow to as tall as 9 feet. As a tropical grass, it’s hardy to USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11, though the roots may be hardy to zone 8. In cooler growing zones, lemongrass is often grown as an annual or can be overwintered indoors in pots.

Growing Requirements

Lemongrass prefers fertile, loose, well-drained loam soil that is moist but not too wet. It will tolerate average soil if it has enough moisture and good drainage, but does best in soil with a pH of 6 to 7.8. Site it in a location with full sun or at least 6 hours of sun per day.

Like other grasses, lemongrass needs great deal of nitrogen. During the growing season, feed it a half-strength solution of a balanced soluble fertilizer—once per week if in a pot and once per month if in the ground. Non-chemical fertilizers that are high in nitrogen include composted chicken manure, blood meal and feather meal.

Limited Pest and Disease Risks

Because of its high essential-oil concentration, lemongrass is generally pest-free and, in fact, is commonly used as an ingredient in natural insect repellents. Once established, it also outcompetes weeds, though young plants may still require some weeding. Grown indoors, lemongrass is occasionally susceptible to spider mites, though overall, you’ll find this a delightful, easy plant to keep.

Harvesting Lemongrass Stalks

Lemongrass is harvested for both the stalk and foliage. You can begin harvesting lemongrass as soon as the plant is about a foot tall. Cut, twist or break off a stalk that is at least 1/4 inch thick. The most tender part is at the bottom, so remove it as close to the ground as possible. Once you have harvested the number of stalks you want, remove the woody outer portion and the leaves. Save the leaves to dry, or compost them. Slice the tender part of the stalk, and add as needed to your recipe. Extra lemongrass can be refrigerated or frozen.

End-Of-Season Harvest

In colder regions where lemongrass is grown as an annual, harvest the remainder plant in the fall, before the first frost sets in. Cut the foliage down to the lighter-colored stalks, and then cut or break them off, discarding the roots and any discolored portions.

Preserving Lemongrass For Later Use

If you harvest more lemongrass than you need for one recipe or you have an ample supply leftover from an end-of-season harvest, you can freeze or dry the stalks and leaves for use throughout the winter.

Freezing Lemongrass Stalks

Lemongrass stalks can be frozen whole or in smaller pieces for about 6 months. For easy use in cooking, portion out the stalks in amounts that you’d use them in your favorite recipes. Place them in a freezer bag or container labeled with the date and amount stored.

Drying Lemongrass Stalks and Leaves

To dry the stalks or leaves, cut them into pieces while the plant is still fresh, as they can become crumbly and difficult to cut when dry. Separate the leaves from the stalks, and lay them on paper towels or on a screen in a dry area out of direct sun. When completely dry, store in a jar in a cool, dark place. Dried lemongrass can be used for up to a year.

Tips For Using Lemongrass

You’ll have just about as much fun using your lemongrass as you will growing it. Here are some suggestions for making it a staple in your kitchen.

• Lemongrass tea: This is the perfect way to use the parts of the lemongrass plant that is not flavorful enough for cooking. Steep a few pieces (cut into 1- or 2-inch lengths) of the fresh or dried leaves and/or outer woody stalks in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes, or longer if you desire a stronger brew. Add honey or sugar to taste. Lemongrass tea is delicious hot or iced.
• Ginger substitute: Substituting lemongrass for ginger will result a milder flavor profile for any dish.
• Salad topping or garnish: Mince the more tender pieces of the stalk for this purpose.
• Lemon juice substitute: Lemongrass can be used in cream sauces in place of lemon juice, without the risk of the sauce curdling.
• Seasoning for broths, sauces and other dishes: Lemongrass stalks or leaves can be added to any dish that would be enhanced by a mild, lemony flavor. Use it the way a bay leaf would be used, and remove prior to serving.

Medicinal Uses Of Lemongrass

Lemongrass is regarded in herbal medicine as a diuretic, mild sedative, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, stomachic, anti-parisitcal and anti-microbial. Both the whole herb and the extracted essential oil have been traditionally used to treat:

• stress
• colds
• headaches
• circulatory problems
• sore throats
• bacterial infections

Lemongrass is also used in natural deodorants and insect repellents.

Winter Care Of Lemongrass

As a tender, tropical plant, lemongrass will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. It may be treated as an annual, or overwintered indoors. If you’ve grown lemongrass in the ground, you can dig it up before the first frost, cut back the foliage and stalks to just a few inches tall, and plant it in one large pot or into several smaller pots. Keep your potted lemongrass as a houseplant near a bright, sunny window, ideally with southern exposure; in a heated greenhouse; or under artificial lights.

Indoor lemongrass plants will benefit from regular feedings every two weeks, as they will quickly use up the nutrients in the potting soil. Keep the plants moist, but do not overwater them, as potted plants are subject to root rot if the soil remains soggy. The plants can be put back in the ground after the danger of frost has passed.

Propagating Lemongrass

If you want to increase your lemongrass supply or simply start over production in the spring, you can propagate the plant from a stalk harvested from a plant or purchased from a grocery store or Asian market. Cut the leaves down to about 1 inch above the base of the stalk, and place it in a dish or glass of fresh water—roots do not need to be attached. Set the dish near a sunny window, and change the water daily. After a few days, your stalk should begin to grow roots. In two weeks, if you see good root growth, plant it in soil either outdoors or in a pot.