Temperatures of 20-30 degrees celsius. Single monsoon season lasting four months from June to September. Rainfall amount 700 mm/year. Basaltic soil (black cotton soil).
Coriander doesn't grow well directly in the soil because birds and ants love the seeds! Try growing in pots instead. Packet of seeds Rs. 10/-. Just the grocery shop seeds seem to sprout just fine. Needs a shady area. Pour seeds. Water once a day.
Plant all year round (avoid peak summer). Seven days from seed to germination. Two months from seed to first harvest. Coriander has big white flowers pollinated by bees and butterflies. 10 x 7 feet area gives 5 bunches. Market rate of total harvested produce is Rs. 110/-
Jeevamrutha - 1 part cow dung + 1 part cow urine + 0.2 parts jaggery + 0.2 parts pulse flour and some soil. Cover, keep in shade, mix a thrice a day. Incubate and use. Apply once a week in the first month.
Multiple insects eat the nectar and pollinate flowers.
Good for gut health.
Seeds - Seeds from flowers. Remove flowers, dry seeds completely and store. Commercial seeds sometimes don’t give a second generation. Coriander - Dry coriander has almost no flavour. Best to eat it fresh. Wash and dry the coriander completely and then store in a box lined with kitchen paper in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Chutney sandwich | Coriander pesto sandwich
Grind together a fistful of coriander leaves + green chillies + one inch piece of fresh coconut + a half cm piece of fresh ginger + half teaspoon sugar + salt + lemon juice. Add to well buttered white bread to make sandwiches. You can add slices of tomato / cucumber / onion / boiled potato. It tastes great with plain white bread or grilled.
TanPan pizza | Tandoori Paneer pizza
Marinate paneer cubes with curd + tandoori masala powder + ginger-garlic paste + lemon juice for a couple of hours. Take a pizza base + add tomato passata to the base and spread. Add tandoori paneer cubes + lots of coriander leaves + fresh finely chopped fresh chillies + salt and pepper + cheese. Bake on lowest oven shelf for 10 minutes at 160 degrees celsius.