So, can you grow lemongrass in colder climates like the UK? The answer is yes, you can!
One of the simplest ways to start your own lemongrass plant is to propagate from shop bought stalks. - please see my step by step guide. You can, of course, also buy seeds or plants. Victoriana Nursery supplies young lemongrass plants from £2.95 (available online).
Growing Lemongrass
Lemongrass likes the heat so grow it in a full sun position. I also like to grow mine in pots/containers so that they can be moved into the greenhouse or indoors when it gets too cold. My parents who live in Sydney Australia grow lemongrass as perennials - they thrive outdoors and can be harvested throughout their mild winters.
Late summer when temperatures drop, move your plants under cover to protect them.
The plant shown here was propagated from a shop bought stalk and left to grow outdoors for the summer. Over the months, new spindly stalks emerged and gradually did grow to the desired thickness but were much shorter in length when compared to commercially grown ones or the ones my parents grew in Australia.
When harvesting lemongrass, cut stalks from the base, being careful not to bring up the whole clump. You can cut leaves if so desired, but it is usually the stalks that are used in Asian cuisine.
Storing Lemongrass
If you have surplus lemongrass, the best way to store them is in the freezer. I find that they retain full fragrance and flavour and it is very convenient to simply grab the stalks you need at the time of cooking. Defrost, pound the frozen stalks with a pestle, finely slice then throw them into the wok.
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