Description
Why Grow Water Chestnuts?
The Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) is a prolific and delicious aquatic vegetable. With its crisp, sweet, and nutty flavour, it is widely used in Asian cuisine and makes a fantastic self-sufficiency crop. When grown in ideal conditions, one corm can yield up to 100 new water chestnuts!
Water Chestnuts in the Kitchen
Fresh water chestnuts are prized for their crunchy texture, even after cooking. They can be added to stir-fries, soups, spring rolls, dumplings, or eaten raw. They are also nutritious, being low in fat, high in fibre, and rich in potassium, manganese, and antioxidants.
Growing Water Chestnuts
Water chestnuts thrive in warm, frost-free climates. They are usually planted in spring, and by late summer to autumn, the corms are ready for harvest. The plants naturally die back in winter and enter dormancy, re-sprouting when conditions warm up again.
They can be grown in buckets, tubs, small ponds, or even farm dams—making them perfect for courtyards, balconies (mind the weight!), or backyard water gardens.
Plant 5-10 cm deep and allow 10 cm space to increase water level later. Once the water chestnuts are grown to 10-20 cm increase the water level so that the water level is 10 cm above soil level and maintain the flooding during the growing season.
Soil and Climate Requirements
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Rich loam or heavy clay, submerged in shallow water
Climate: Best in frost-free regions of Australia
Water: Constant moisture; waterlogged soil or shallow water
Health and Nutrition
Water chestnuts are not only tasty but also very healthy. They are:
- Low in calories and fat
- High in dietary fibre
- A good source of potassium, copper, and manganese
- Rich in antioxidants that support overall health
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