If you want to plant ice plant but don't know exactly how to do it, you've come to the right place. We'll tell you what you need to consider.
Our grandmothers were very familiar with ice cream. Especially since its enormously long harvest time - from April to September, depending on the climate zone - guaranteed a fresh menu at all times. The taste of the ice herb is described as slightly s alty to sour, pleasantly refreshing, but also similar to that of spinach. Therefore, the leaves of the ice plant can be eaten not only as a salad, but also as a vegetable.
By the way, ice cream got its name from its appearance. Because its fleshy leaves are covered all around and on the underside with drops (s alt deposits) that look like water crystals.
Planting Ice Plant - That's how it's done
Extension:
Actually, the ice plant is one of the perennial plants (creeping plants), but in our latitudes it can only be grown as an annual. You should choose a particularly sunny location for this. Ice plant grows particularly well in rock gardens, for example. (Link tip: The right plants for the rock garden)
» Tip:
Ice herb does not tolerate cold, which is why it can sometimes only be applied after the Ice Saints. Sow the seeds finely with a generous spacing, press lightly into the soil and cover again slightly with soil.
In colder climates you can also cultivate the seeds in advance in cactus soil on the window sill. After the ice saints, you have to plant the little plants directly outdoors.
When choosing a location, you should also make sure that the soil conditions are humus-rich but as dry as possible. Otherwise there is a high risk of rotting of the ice plant. You should also mix the soil of the garden bed with enough sand.
Maintenance:
If you give the ice plant enough time to grow, small, intensively pink flowers will form. These in turn contain seeds with which you can sow ice plant again next year - simply remove the black seeds for this purpose and keep them dry.
The natural enemy of all lettuce plants is theSnail - so also with the Eiskraut. But you can fight them in the usual way, e.g. with slug pellets, beer traps, etc. (Link tip: Prevent snails - 3 tips)
Harvest:
Eiskraut should always be harvested as soon as possible before consumption in order to keep it fresh. Simply cut off the leaves with a sharp knife. The plant forms new shoots at this point within a very short time.
» Tip:
You should definitely prepare iceberg leaves with a lemon vinaigrette and onions as a salad. That tastes great! You can also use the herb as a garnish for buffet platters, menu plates, etc. Steamed briefly, you can also prepare the iceberg in a similar way to spinach.
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