Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
7
THE CHINESE WATER GARDEN
Some of the essential plants for Chinese cooking
don't grow in soil but in water. If you
want to grow your own water chestnuts, you'll have to venture into the world of wa-
ter gardening. If you've always wanted a water garden but thought you didn't have the
room, you'll be happy to hear that you can have a beautiful one in an area no larger than
a portable washtub — in fact, you can actually have one
in
a washtub.
A container water garden is the easiest kind of container gardening. It's particularly
good for the weekend gardener because it requires practically no upkeep. You don't have
to nurse and transplant seedlings. You rarely have to water (except to top up during
dry spells), you never need to mulch, and you only fertilize occasionally. There are no
weeds. Most water plants aren't winter hardy in much of North America, so growing
them in containers simplifies winter care. Furthermore, all the lovely water plants de-
scribed in this chapter are deliciously edible and are common, everyday vegetables in
Asian cuisine. Your garden will be a delightful conversation piece, can go in any sunny
location you please, and can even be moved around if necessary.
Water gardens can be as small as a 5-gallon container or as large as a pond. Or they
can be something in between, such as three 25-gallon tubs artistically deployed over a
large patio. The room you have — whether it's a city terrace, a rooftop, a balcony, or
a backyard — and your enthusiasm are the only limits. A sun deck, front doorstep, or
breeze-way will be enhanced with a container of these attractive plants. Just keep in mind
that these plants require full sun.
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