Easy for Beginners! The Addictive Crunchy Texture of "Okahijiki"

Growing
"Okahijiki" in a planter

Have you heard of "Okahijiki"?
Named for its resemblance to the seaweed hijiki,
it is a vegetable that grows wild on sandy coastal areas.
In fact, it is surprisingly easy to grow in just a single planter,
making it perfect for home gardening beginners.

What you need: Soil and a planter

Because okahijiki spreads its roots widely,
a standard planter (about 60cm wide) or
a pot at least 15cm deep is recommended.
Commercially available "potting soil for vegetables" is sufficient, but
be sure to place bottom stones in the planter to improve drainage.
As a plant that grows wild in sandy areas, it prefers soil with good drainage.

Cultivation Schedule
Best time for sowing: Around April to June.
Until germination: About 10 days to 2 weeks. Water to keep it from drying out.
Until harvest: From sowing about 30 to 50 days.
Start harvesting when the plant height reaches 10cm to 15cm!

The keys to cultivation are "sunlight" and "water"
Okahijiki loves the sun.
Place the planter in a sunny spot.
Soaking the seeds in water overnight before sowing will improve the germination rate.
Sow the seeds at intervals of about 1cm, cover them lightly with soil, and
the trick is to water them generously until they sprout so they do not dry out.

Enjoy the tenderness of "freshly picked"!
When the plant height reaches about 10cm to 15cm, it is time to harvest.
Use scissors to snip off about 5cm to 10cm from the tips.
If you apply additional fertilizer after harvesting,
side shoots will grow one after another,
allowing you to enjoy multiple harvests over a long period.
It is truly a high-value, model student of a plant.

Endless ways to enjoy
Just a quick boil
brings out its vibrant green color and unique crunchy texture.
It is perfect for ohitashi (blanched greens) or dressed with mayonnaise,
as well as an accent for salads or in tempura.
The taste of tender, succulent new sprouts,
which you can only experience because you grew them yourself, is exceptional.

This spring and summer,
why not grow "land seaweed" on your balcony and add some color to your dining table?