Chives thrive in fertile soils, rich in organic matter and with very good drainage. It seeks a cool environment, it is resistant to cold and in sunny places it shows better growth and production, however, excessive moisture tends to cause it to rot in the root. Chives are propagated by seed. We can plant the chives directly by sowing in the field as long as when it reaches a growth of 10-15 cm we thin them at distances of 20-30 cm. If we get ready-made plants from a nursery, we plant them at suitable planting distances of 30-40 cm between plants and 50-60 cm between rows. To plant the chives on the balcony, choose a pot with a diameter of 30 cm and add general-purpose potting soil, enriched in nutrients, that ensures good drainage.

Celery varieties, depending on the part of the plant for which they are grown, are divided into two main categories: a) leafy ones that have rich foliage vegetation and b) rhizomes that have less growth of the above-ground part of the plant and more root growth. The best-known varieties are the traditional variety of celery, the variety of celery and the variety of celeriac, which have the following characteristics: Common variety of celery: Traditional local leafy variety of celery with thin stems and leaves that have a strong aroma and taste Celery variety: Classic leafy variety of celery with thick crisp stems that reach a height of up to one meter and large leaves but not as strongly scented as the common variety. Celery root variety: Characteristic variety of root celery eaten for its large round root, fresh or cooked in salads and soups.

Purslane, also known as anthrakla, is an annual, native, multi-branched plant of the Mediterranean with characteristic smooth and fleshy shoots. Wormwood grows in cultivated fields and especially in vegetable gardens that are watered in late spring and bears small yellow flowers. Although often considered an unwanted grass (weed) in the garden, buttercup is edible, very tasty and has a high nutritional value.

Sage is quite a hardy plant and grows in a variety of soils, even dry, barren and stony soils. Sage grows best in sandy, calcareous soils with very good drainage that warm up in early spring. Sage is resistant to both low and high temperatures, meaning we can plant it in hot and cold areas. Prefers places with sun both in the garden and on the balcony.
When planted in the shade, it shows stunted growth and can show rot in the shoots and the root. Incorporating organic matter in the form of digested manure and compost when planting sage is beneficial for its growth.

Eggplant, the summer’s favorite vegetable! Eggplant is one of the main ingredients of the Mediterranean cuisine that we enjoy in unique summer recipes, from the world-famous moussaka, to the wonderful shoes and the Asia Minor imam baildi. Eggplant is a vegetable with high nutritional value that contains many antioxidants and vitamins. It is eaten mainly grilled, fried but also stewed. We avoid eating eggplant raw, because of its bitter taste, as well as the solanine, a toxic substance it contains when harvested prematurely.

The eggplant crop grows to a height of about 80-90 centimeters and usually does not need subtiling. Eggplant leaves have a smooth upper surface and are smooth while the underside is relatively fluffy. It is planted in the spring and forms characteristic purple flowers that give us the fruits in the summer.

There are many known varieties and hybrids of eggplant to grow. It is important to choose eggplant varieties from our own seed that we keep, so that we know the special characteristics of each variety and how it adapts to the conditions of our region. Among the traditional and local eggplant varieties, we distinguish the Lagada eggplant variety with its long, narrow purple fruits, the purple flask eggplant used in stuffed foods, as well as the teardrop eggplant with its characteristic shape. The two-colored Tsakonian eggplant with its white and purple stripes is also unique and particularly popular and does not taste bitter. Also, the Santorini eggplant is a very distinctive variety with impressive white round fruits and a delicious sweet taste that is not bitter.

Eggplant cultivation grows best in areas with a warm climate. It is worth mentioning that the eggplant needs more heat than the tomato crop and the pepper crop, as well as being much more sensitive to low temperatures and frost. Eggplant planting takes place from April onwards, when the temperature has risen noticeably. Eggplant grows in loose, fertile soils that have good drainage to remove excess water. When preparing the soil for cultivation and before planting the eggplant, we plow the garden and incorporate enough organic matter into the planting pits in the form of compost and digested manure, as well as complete organic fertilizer.

Thyme is an aromatic low shrub, a typical plant found in the countryside of our country. Thyme has a creeping but also upright growth and reaches a height of up to 40 cm. There are many varieties of thyme that we can grow. A special and hardy variety of thyme is lemon thyme, the leaves of which have a strong lemon aroma.