Bitter Gourd Seeds

HOW TO GROW 

Step-1: Sow seeds about ½ inch deep in loamy well-draining soil that has been prepared with aged manure or compost. Bitter gourd seeds can also be soaked overnight to speed up the germination. Plant the soaked seeds directly in the garden and cover with soil.  Keep a distance of at least 12 to 15 inches between two plants. Learn more about how to germinate seeds here.

Step-2: Keep the soil evenly moist till the time germination occurs. Since bitter gourds are grown in hot summer months, the soil will require frequent watering once the seedlings have established. Soil in containers tends to dry relatively faster. Hence it’s important to keep checking the soil with the tip of your fingers & water gently if it feels dry on touch.

Step-3:  Trellising is required to grow bitter gourd vines vertically. Place a sturdy trellis at the time of planting that is at least 5 to 6 ft long. Growing bitter gourds vertically also helps retain the shape of the fruit.

Step-4: Regular pruning of the side shoots is also important to improve fruiting and control the sprawl of the plant.

Step-5: Like most cucurbits, bitter gourds are also susceptible to pests like aphids, cucumber beetles and fruit flies. It’s important to keep a close eye on your vines and remove them manually or use neem oil spray. Remove any weeds around the bitter gourd plant to control the pests. Garden friendly insects like ladybugs are also beneficial in controlling pests.

Bitter gourd is a green-skinned vegetable with white to translucent flesh and a taste that fits its name. Unless you grew up with bitter gourd as part of your regular diet, it might take you a while to warm up to the bitter flavor.

Health Benefits

As a rich source of antioxidant s, flavonoids, and other polyphenol compounds, bitter gourd may help to reduce your risks for a number of health issues.

Fights inflammation

Bitter gourd is packed with polyphenols. These compounds are known for their ability to lower inflammation in the body. The more of them there are, the greater the anti-inflammatory effects could be.

Diabetes management

Bitter gourd contains bioactive compounds called saponins and terpenoids. These compounds are responsible for the vegetable’s bitter taste, but may also play a role in lowering blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. The saponins and terpenoids in bitter gourd may help move glucose from the blood to the cells while also helping your liver and muscles better process and store glucose.