Moringa was a new addition to my garden last year and I’m continually impressed with its health benefits. I received a root cutting from Blue Yonder Urban Farm at the end of March last year and it has come back as a healthy plant this year. I’m excited to begin using Moringa in my herb garden. Here’s what I found about the benefits of Moringa Oleifera:
Moringa Benefits
- Moringa seeds are high in Oleic acid, the same fatty acid that Olives are known to be high in.
- Other nutrients found in Moringa are; Vitamin C, A, E, B-Complex; Folates, Pyridoxine B-6, Thiamin B-1, Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Niacin. Calcium, Selenium, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, and Magnesium.
- Many countries use the seeds, bark, sap, seeds, oil, leaves, roots and flowers in making traditional medicine.
- The leaves are the most widely used parts of this plant. They are edible and contain three times more iron than spinach.
Enter the GIVEAWAY below!
Moringa Growing Conditions
It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.3 to 7.0), well-drained sandy or loamy soil. In waterlogged soil, the roots have a tendency to rot. Moringa loves the sun and heat and does not tolerate freezing or frost. Moringa is particularly suitable for dry regions, as it can be grown using rainwater without expensive irrigation. It is doing very well in my Texas yard.
Moringa can be grown as an annual or perennial plant. In the first year, all pods are edible. Later years also bear inedible bitter pods. I’m growing mine in a pot on the deck and my plant reached about 5 feet tall last year. This year it’s growing habitat resembles a shrub more than a tree and is about 3 feet tall. It has not provided any pods but we are able to harvest plenty of leaves.
Related: Growing Moringa from Bare Root Stock
This year I also planted seeds and I’m expecting a bumper crop. We’ll grow it as a hedge and use it in smoothies and as fresh greens in salads.
When mature, it can reach heights of 35 feet but most people commonly keep it small and grow moringa as a shrub or hedge. The leaves are cooked and used like spinach and are commonly dried and crushed into a powder used in soups and sauces. As with most foods, heating moringa above 140 °F destroys some of the nutritional value. I think it tasts like spinach.
Moringa Root Giveaway Rules
Spring is the perfect time to plant Moringa, it will love the heat that comes with summertime. You can have healthy and easy to grow Moringa leaves all season long.
This giveaway is sponsored by Blue Yonder Urban Farms. See their post about Growing Moringa Seedlings
There will be 1 Winner. This winner will receive 2 Mature Moringa Oleifera Roots. The winner will be notified by email, and has 24 hours to respond, if a winner does not respond within 24 hours, a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is open May 24th at 12 am EST and closes May 31st – 12 am EST
Value: $37.50 each winner plus the cost of shipping. Anyone who is 18 years or older and resides in the continental US can enter. Sorry, we cannot ship to Alaska or Hawaii.
Can’t Wait? Get a Moringa Tree Root through Amazon
Enter The Moringa Giveaway
Enter The Moringa GiveawayGrowing Moringa Seedlings
http://blueyonderurbanfarms.com/2376/growing-moringa-seedlings
We have 2 moringa trees in the back yard. While I try to harvest regularly they grow so rapidly it’s hard. We just cut one tree back to about 8 feet high and will pinch out the growing tips to make it bushier.
We use the leaves raw in salads or cooked like spinach. It is a dependable ‘green’ growing even in our hot humid summers when other more typical salad greens won’t grow.
Anyone who wins these plants is in for a real treat.,
Hi Bellen, Thanks for the tips. I knew moringa grows fast, but I’t surprised how fast. I plan on growing mine as a bush or hedge, hopefully it will work here in Texas!
I’ve heard that not only is there all of those vitamins and minerals, but there’s a lot of them. Like, A Lot, a lot. I’ve even heard people say that it’s better than Kale.
Yes Sam, There’s A LOT OF GOODNESS in those plants! I have a plant growing now and I can’t wait to harvest and dry some leaves.
I am just learning about Moringa. Sounds like something I need to add to my ever growing beneficial plant property! 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity!
I have never heard of them before. It would be great To grow some.
I’ve not planted moringa yet, because of our cold winters, but I never before read that it can be grown as an annual, or in a pot (which I can protect thru the winter). I now look forward to getting some going, to add to my annual harvest of healthy food! (Hopefully I’ll win a couple roots!)
I am excited to try them if I win! Thanks for the opportunity!
We wanted to use for purifying water, but would also use in salads and stir frys.
Just starting looking into moringa, would love to grow some. Would use it in smoothies and salads.
Start with salads and explore from there.
I’ve been reading about Moringa for a while now but haven’t tried it. I would start off using it in salads and smoothies, then try my hand at tinctures and herbal remedies.
I was given a moringa seedling last fall, & kept it growing over the winter. But at some point it turned yellow and nothing I did saved it. I recently ordered a seedling online, & as it was a hot sunny day when it arrived, I put it in some water, waiting for cooler, cloudy days this weekend. The leaves turned yellow, except for the uppermost ones, which are a mix of green and yellow. Reading your description, I’m afraid it got too much water :o(. I’m going to do my best to keep it alive, but it’s pretty sad looking at the moment. Thanks for another chance. They say the third times a charm!