How to Grow:
Plant stevia indoors 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost and transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. You can plant stevia in the fall as well 16 weeks before your first fall frost. Stevia can be grown from seed, but it can be difficult and germination is tricky. It is best done as a transplant or started as propagation. You can see specific dates for your location using our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web App.
If you do plant stevia by seed, plant it 1/4 inch deep. The seeds should germinate within 7-21 days. Plant 1 stevia plant per square foot in the full sun. Take care to notice what plants are around the area as well, see the companion plant section below. Water your stevia plant weekly and make sure that it has good draining soil.
Companion Plants:
Companion planting is a vital part of organic gardening. Companion plants assist in the growth of others by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, or providing nutrients, shade, or support. There are also plants that do not like being next to each other. Some plants get too tall and can provide too much shade for your plant. Sometimes certain plants attract the same pests, so it is important to try and separate these. Herbs are especially great companion plants because they help to repel pests from your other plants!
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Pests:
Pests can be one of the most difficult challenges you face in the garden. We strive to grow food without the use of pesticide and luckily there are natural solutions for most of these nasty pests! The pests listed below are common pests for stevia:
Learn more about how to manage pests and attract beneficial insects in our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web App!
Harvesting:
Stevia should be ready to harvest within 100-120 days after planting. Harvesting should be done as late as possible in the fall since the cooler temperatures give it an even sweeter taste. Simply cut the branches off when harvesting.
Cooking & Eating!
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