• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GO TO EXPAT LIVING SINGAPORE
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Hong Kong HomepageExpat Living Hong Kong

Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

Menu
  • Living In Hong Kong
      • Living Here
      • Where To Live
      • Schools
      • For Guys
        • Driving in Hong KongBuying a car in Hong Kong
        • HKIL - mandarin courses for kidsGive Your Kids a Language Lift
        • Hong Kong People - Brenda HojgaardHK People: 10 minutes with Brenda Hojgaard
        • womens tailor Hong KongOur top picks for men’s tailors
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things To Do
      • What’s On/Calendar
      • Competitions & Offers
        • Hikes5 things to take on every hike
        • Earth spinning for trivia quiz questions on geography20 Quiz Questions on Geography
        • Waterfall BayWaterfalls in Hong Kong: 5 of our faves!
        • Museums in Hong Kong - Museum of Art12 of the best museums in Hong Kong
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Activities & Things To Do
      • Education & Enrichment
      • Health & Wellness
      • Mums & Babies
      • Podcasts
      • Kids Offers
        • where to buy kids' furniture in Hong Kong - Indigo KidsKids’ bedroom inspo: Beds, rugs, & more!
        • HKIL - mandarin courses for kidsGive Your Kids a Language Lift
        • Family with money for web article on how to teach kids about money5 ways to teach kids about money
        • head lice in Hong KongHead Lice in Children: What You Should Know!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Décor
      • Readers Homes
        • Revamping a Hong Kong village house
        • where to buy kids' furniture in Hong Kong - Indigo KidsKids’ bedroom inspo: Beds, rugs, & more!
        • Time to spruce up your space?
        • See inside a Shui Hau village house
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Short Breaks
      • Further Afield
      • Travel News & Offers
        • Earth spinning for trivia quiz questions on geography20 Quiz Questions on Geography
        • Son Doong CaveJourney into the world’s largest cave
        • Hong Kong outlying islands, adventure guide to Cheung Chau, Lantau, Peng Chau, Lamma island, Hong KongAdventure guide to HK’s outlying islands
        • Little Tai Hang Hotel & Serviced Apartments windowCheck out this staycation in Tai Hang
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Recipes & Groceries
      • Bars & Restaurants
        • Coffee - for web article on coffee shops that open early in Hong KongCoffee shops that open early in HK
        • There are several supermarket chains in Hong Kong which stock imported brandsWhere to find your fave grocery brands
        • Indian-Restarants-New-Punjab-ClubTop Indian restaurants to try
        • OM Tapas eggTasty tapas restaurant in the heart of HK
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • glow spa eye treatmentsTips and treatments for beautiful eyes
        • womens tailor Hong KongOur top picks for men’s tailors
        • Shopping in Hong Kong - K11 MuseaThe ultimate guide to shopping in HK
        • Skincare in Hong Kong: So good botanicalsSkincare solution for HK’s climate
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Medical & Dental
      • Fitness
      • Wellness
        • Arm exercises: Up fitness - exercise 43 easy exercises to tone up your arms
        • Divorce: estranged coupleDivorce: how to break up with dignity
        • Dr Lauren Bramley and Partners, kids' health, Hong Kong children's health, medical, Hong Kong Health, paediatrics5 questions you should ask about your kids’ health
        • SugarIs your family eating too much sugar?
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
      • Magazine
      • Advertise With Us
        • December – February 2021
        • DEC-FEB 2020 – $36 (USUAL PRICE $48)
        • City Guide 2020-2021
        • City Guide 2020-2021 – $28
      • View all
    Close
Home » Living In Hong Kong » Growing herbs and veg in Hong Kong

Growing herbs and veg in Hong Kong

19 February, 2021 by Shamus Sillar 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/gardening-in-hong-kong-growing-herbs-and-vegetables/

Hands up who has tried to do some gardening in Hong Kong and ended up with wilted plants? Whether you want some basil on a windowsill, a few plant pots on a balcony or rooftop space, or even a proper outdoor garden, here are some tips on how to grow herbs or vegetables that will hopefully have you on the path towards a bumper crop!

What to plant?

A potful of healthy herbs or colourful veggies can look great in a room. Having said that, most of us grow them not just because they’re pretty, but also to use them in cooking.

So, what are the best things to plant in your home? The ones you’re most likely to add to a recipe!

Herbs:

If the kitchen isn’t your thing but you love some fresh mint in a mojito, opt for mint. (It’s among the easier herbs to grow, too.) Otherwise, you could try parsley, basil, bay leaves, thyme, oregano or any other common herb used in cooking. Prefer Asian flavours? Go for the likes of curry leaf or Thai basil.

Vegetables:

You’ll need to keep in mind Hong Kong’s two distinct growing seasons: from the beginning of autumn to mid-spring is the cool season. Veggies that work well in this period include leafy greens like lettuce, kale and spinach, along with tomato, beetroot, cauliflower and broccoli. The warmer months, meanwhile, are better for pumpkin, eggplant, cucumber and chillies. Keen on some fruit instead? Try strawberries (best in winter).

One packet of herb or vegetable seeds will likely set you back around $20 or so. (One tip: look on the packet for the “time to maturity” of the plant. If you’re impatient, go for something with a short growing cycle!) You can also grow herbs and veggies from existing potted plants or cuttings, if you prefer: just be sure that you make a hole large enough in your soil mix for the plant and all its roots. For a potted herb, tap the plant out of the container, loosen some of the root ball at the bottom to encourage the roots to expand outwards, than place it in your soil and water.

If you’re keen, do some research into growing from vegetable cuttings. Methods vary widely, from avocado seeds to ginger roots to leftover lettuce.

Pots and placement

Herbs and veggies need sunlight – and quite a bit of it. So, if you’re in an apartment, you’ll need a balcony or an indoor area that receives at least four hours of direct sunlights for most herbs, up to to six or eight hours for veggies. We’re not going to lie: in Hong Kong, this can be a tough ask, as even a sunny windowsill can have light blocked by surrounding buildings for much of the day.

So, before you decide to start, it’s a good idea to test out a likely growing space by checking a few times over the course of a morning and afternoon to see how brightly lit it is. If the light is too intense in the middle of the day or early afternoon, use shade cloth or fabric to cut out a percentage of rays. Also, on balconies or rooftops, be sure your pots are protected from the wind, and aren’t placed in an area where water can run off from above after heavy rain. It’s very easy to drown a new plant this way!

If you don’t have a space that gives you the required hours of sunlight, there are some solutions: microgreens grow well even in shade, for example. Also, there are plenty of vegetable varieties that aren’t as dependent on direct sunlight as others – a quick google search should have you sorted.

Herbs:

As much as we love the look of one large garden bed festooned with every type of herb, individual pots for different herbs are the best approach. And make sure each pot has enough space of its own. This helps air to circulate, and it can help stave off disease, too. A rack for a series of pots is a good idea – they’re available at every garden/outdoor store.

Vegetables:

Veggies generally require more room than herbs, so you’ll likely need deeper planter boxes rather than small pots. Anything up to half a metre long and around 20cm deep is good. Because of this bigger size, the containers will be heavier when filled with soil and water. So, choose your planting location carefully as it’ll be harder to move things around. There are plenty of how-to guides online for constructing your own veggie pots and planters.

It’s also a good idea to rotate your pots and containers from time to time – this is especially true of balconies, where sunlight tends to come in at an angle rather than directly overhead like in an outdoor garden.

Growing herbs in Singapore

Getting the potting mix right

Your best bet for a potting material is a mix of a regular soil potting mix along with what’s known as LECA (it stands for “lightweight expanded clay aggregate”). These are porous pellets that help water to drain away from your growing material, which means the roots dry out quickly after watering. Add a little compost from kitchen scraps, if you can, and you have a great base for growing herbs. Composting buckets for your kitchen are readily available and easy to use.

If you’re growing climbing plants such as tomatoes, you’ll need to add stakes to the soil. Bamboo stakes work well. Note that tall plants are more susceptible to wind, so you’ll need to be vigilant in typhoon season.

When to water

Most herbs and vegetables should be watered once a day – if they’re in a particularly sunny or breezy spot, you may need to do more. However, different plants require different quantities. (Basil and mint tend to need more water, for example.) So, before watering, feel the soil or potting mix with your fingers for moisture below the surface. Only water when it’s slightly on the dry side.

When and what to feed

Herbs:

Herbs tend not to need as much feed as other plants, but it’s still fine to add some nutrients every few weeks. A slow-release organic fertiliser should do the job. For a foliar spray that you use on the leaves themselves, it’s a good idea to stick with natural materials – you’re going to be eating those leaves, after all! One option is diluted seaweed extract.

Vegetables:

Every couple of weeks is a rough rule of thumb for feeding veggies. You could use the same slow-release fertiliser mentioned above, or why not make your own organic feed at home? Banana water (or “banana tea”) is an easy one. Just soak a couple of banana peels in half a litre of sealed water for a couple of days. Throw away the peels, and feed your plants with the water.

Final tips

  • You’ll likely spend a portion of each day starting at your plants to check on their growth! While you’re at it, keep an eye out pests, and also for weeds in the soil, and take appropriate action if you see either.
  • If you don’t have much room at home, or you prefer a “system” that will help you get started more easily with growing, there are options available, from vertical gardening kits to hydroponics.
  • Don’t give up on your first attempt to grow herbs and vegetables! Everyone experiences a misfire or two. With some subtle tweaks to your method, we’re sure you’ll be on your way to tossing a few home-grown ingredients into your dinner recipe. Good luck!


For more helpful tips, head to our
Living in Hong Kong section.

Categories: Living In Hong Kong Things To Do Tags: gardening Living In Hong Kong

You May Also Like

Accommodation options in Hong Kong - village houses

High rise or house? Accommodation options in HK

Hong Kong - social distancing restrictions - need to know

Lifted restrictions – here’s what to know…

HKIL - mandarin courses for kids

Give Your Kids a Language Lift

Primary Sidebar

Expat Living Hong Kong 🇭🇰

expatlivinghk

Open
When it comes to hiking - Hong Kong has it all! 

From easy family-friendly walks and circuits to longer walks and some challenging hikes for the super fit! 

Check out our great guide - link in the bio.
Open
In the mood for a sweet treat? These chewy salted caramel and chocolate cookies are delicious with a cuppa or warmed and crumbled over ice cream.

This recipe makes about 25 cookies.

Ingredients

5 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened (or as an alternative, substitute half of the butter with natural peanut butter)
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plain flour
6 tablespoons cocoa or cacao
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt flakes
1 cup chocolate chips
1 Mars Bar, chopped

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla, then beat well.
4. Combine flour, cocoa (or cacao), baking soda and half of the salt; gradually blend into the creamed mixture.  5.Stir in the chocolate chips and Mars Bar pieces.
6. Drop tablespoon-sized amounts of the mixture onto a lined cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes. Tip: do not over-bake! The cookies should be soft, they’ll puff up while baking and flatten while cooling.
8. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet onto wire rack.
9. Sprinkle with remaining sea salt flakes.
Enjoy!
Open
If you're looking for a fascinating (albeit a touch morbid) read this weekend - then look no further.

'Women, Crime and The Courts' charts a hundred years of Hong Kong's women who find themselves on the wrong side of the law.  

Gripping stuff!
Open
Pui O Beach - just lovely 📷 @lailasophiashah
Open
Expat Living's Leanda shares a delicious Dukkah-roasted Cauliflower recipe: “A tasty and substantial dish that will keep you full and satisfied without any guilt!"

Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
2 cans of 400g chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Olive oil
1 tablespoon dukkah spice
A pinch of salt
1 /3 cup pine nuts
1 /2 cup pomegranate seeds
Large handful of fresh mint, roughly chopped
1 avocado (1/2 for dressing & 1/2 for garnish)
1 /2 cup Greek yoghurt
Handful of fresh mint, roughly chopped
Zest and juice of 1 lime. 

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius.

2. Place the cauliflower and chickpeas onto two large baking trays, and drizzle with the oil.

3. Top with dukkah, salt, and toss to combine. Roast for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

4. For the dressing, place the avocado, yoghurt, mint, lemon zest and juice, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Using a hand-held blender or a food processor, blend until smooth and creamy.

5. On the stove, heat the pine nuts in a pan at medium heat until slightly browned.

6. Top the cauliflower and chickpeas with the mint, pomegranate seeds and remaining avocado. Drizzle with the avocado dressing, sprinkle pine nuts and serve!
Open
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Expat Living Team ❤️
Open
🏮 Gong Hei Fat Choy to all our friends celebrating Chinese New Year!
Open
In celebration of Chinese New Year, we are giving ten lucky readers the chance to win a $250 voucher to spend at PizzaExpress!
Open
📷 @colsimphoto
Open
🏮Begin the Year of the Ox the right way by sharing a meal to welcome the new lunar year together – be it at home our out and about! Check out the full listing on our website - link in bio 🏮
Open
Our CNY Sale starts today! Grab a year's subscription for just $68 (usually $192). Visit 👉 expatliving.hk/sale/IG

🎁 If you'd like to buy this as a gift, go to expatliving.hk/sale/gift/IG

You'll get free access to the digital edition on the Magzter app too!

.
#expatlivinghk #ighk #hkexpats #hongkong #hksales
Open
If you're an experienced hiker looking for a new challenge this weekend – how about The Twins.... at night?

📷 @lailasophiashah
Open
Ever wondered what it is like to live in Hung Hom? EL reader Veronica Valdivieso gives us the lowdown. For the full story and Veronica's recommendations see our DEC-FEB issue✨📖
Open
🎉 We're so pleased to announce the winners of our Readers' Choice Awards! Congrats to all the companies who were voted among the best in Hong Kong, and to the voters who won the amazing prizes. See the full results online now at 👉 expatliving.hk/readerschoice

.
#expatlivinghk #hkbusiness #hongkongbusiness #elhkreaderschoice #hkexpats
Open
Pieces for your dining room mood board!🪑We are feeling these tones 🤎
Open
Thanks Julianna for this delicious 
Easy Blueberry Oreo Cheesecake to start the weekend!
Serves 4, or 2 if you're hungry😉

Preparation time: 15 mins Ingredients:
• 6 digestive biscuits
• 50g butter 
• 250g cream cheese (1 brick) 
• 6 Oreo biscuits
• 125g blueberries (1 box)
• 100g milk or whipped cream 
• 5 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:
For crust:
1. Crush digestive biscuits in a big bowl and add melted butter.
2. Press together at the base of the cake mould.
3. Set aside to cool.

For filling: 
1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and milk or whipped cream on medium speed in a bowl until it is smooth and creamy. 
2. Add crushed Oreos and beat until they mix evenly. 
3. Pour the filling over the cooled crust.
4. Freeze for two hours and top with blueberries!🫐
Open
If you’re looking for a place to live in Hong Kong - particularly if you’re moving here and want an easy landing pad - a serviced apartment can be a godsend! @hongkongparkview is like a mini town with everything you need from a Clubhouse with full facilities to a toy shop, clothes and food shop! 🏞🛍
Open
Read our Winter issue on any device for free 👉 expatliving.hk/digital/ig.
Inside: Two inspiring home reno stories, great dining room furniture ideas, insider's guide to Hung Hom Bay and plenty of other great reads, including easy dessert recipes!
Open
How cool is this - Hong Kong-based @ovolohotels is the first hotel group to go entirely vegetarian across its restaurants, bars and food services for a year! 🌱This move is the latest in the group’s series of eco-friendly initiatives, and doesn’t this look delicious!👏🏻
Open
If we’ve learnt anything this last year it’s how much a magical view can do for your mind🌿These are just some of the properties showcased by @knightfrank 🙌🏼 Head to knightfrank.com.hk to see what’s currently available! 🏞
  • COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2021 Expat Living Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved.