Abundant Crops for November and December

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

Here are crops to look out for this November and December.

MUNG BEAN (VIGNA RADIATA)

Mung bean, also referred to as munggo or monggo, is a legume that's largely cultivated in Asia. It is considered one of the cheapest protein sources. Aside from plant protein, it is also rich in minerals like calcium and sodium as well as in vitamins A, B, and C. Mung bean is an ingredient for different products like sotanghon and hopia. It is also a staple ingredient in Filipino dishes like mung bean soup or ginisang munggo. Plus, it can serve as a cover crop and also forage for livestock. This edible legume grows well in the Philippines since it is tolerant of drought. It is best to plant during the dry season. This crop can be produced in just 65 to 72 days after planting.

TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM)

One of the most common pantry staples is tomato. This fruit is commonly used in ketchup, sauces, and seasoning, or added to different recipes, that span from salads to pasta and snacks. Growing this crop requires cool and dry conditions, making it suitable to grow in the Philippines from

September to January. Before planting, immerse the seeds in water overnight. Transplant the tomato seedlings 25 to 30 days after sowing. Tomatoes will be ready forharvest 55 to 65 days after repotting. To know if it is fully ripe, the fruits must be pinkish-red or yellow, which varies based on their variety. Harvesting them at the right time is necessary to enjoy the robust flavor of the fruits.

SWEET CORN (ZEA MAYS VAR. RUGOSA)

Corn is one of the important agricultural crops in the country. It is consumed in different ways: grilled, boiled, or as an addition to recipes like soup, salad, and desserts. They are served either whole, cut into smaller portions, or removed off the cob. Different varieties of corn are also utilized for livestock feed and processed into products like corn oil, cornstarch, among others. It is said that sweet corn is easier to grow and has a lower possibility of pest infestation. Since these are tall plants, consider sowing corn in a space where they will not cover or overshadow other plants in the garden. Maturation of sweet corn occurs two to three months after planting.

PATOLA (LUFFA CYLINDRICA)

Ridged or luffa gourd, or locally called patola, is an annual vine that produces large, edible young fruits. It may be eaten raw, pickled, or cooked with other vegetables. While mature patola is processed into a sponge for bath or dishwashing. There must be a distance of 200 centimeters per row when planting patola in the ground. If raising them in pots, sow at least three seeds per container. It is best to sow patola seeds from April to May and September to November. It will take 60 to 85 days to harvest this veggie.