Harvesting Lemongrass

I know I frequently bemoan the lack of produce harvested from my garden, but not everything I plant or sow is a failure.

One huge success is always my lemongrass. 

Every year I wait until I have a reasonable crop to make Stuffed Lemongrass.  Normally I am able to make enough for about four people.  This year I was able to make enough for around ten people.  

Here is how I harvest my lemongrass.

I simply twist and pull each stem from the soil, roots and all.

All of the plant has a use.

Using a sharp knife carefully cut off the root just below the bulbous part of the stem.

Trim the long blades of strappy leaves leaving about ten inches/26 centimetres of stem for making the stuffed lemongrass.

These are the outer leaves of the stems which I use to make lemongrass tea.

Any thick part of the unused stems can also be used.  The very tops can also be used to make tea but I had so much I chose not to use them and simply added to my compost bin.

Shred these with a sharp knife lengthwise and cut into lengths of about 1.5 inches/4 centimetres to be dried in the oven or in the sun.

The bit below the bulbous stem can be planted immediately (if there are roots still attached).  If you harvest and replant during a waning moon, I guarantee one hundred percent success. Just make sure all of the root is in the soil with just the cut section protruding above the soil.

These were harvested last Saturday.
I will post pictures of the already emerging shoots in the next day or two.