Q. I am based in Karachi and want to set up an edible kitchen garden on a plot size 4,000 sq yards and want to have at least two sheep, a dozen chickens and fruit and vegetables. I face budgetary constraints and don’t know how to design it so that it is easy to maintain. Please advise. I already grow falsa, guava, pomegranate, custard apple (sharifa), bair, dates, coconut, mango and papaya in my front garden.

A. What an exciting project and how I wish I was right there to help! The easiest and most cost effective way to begin is by dividing it up in to a number of areas and working, primarily, on one area at a time. Slow and sure and you will get there eventually. I do not advise sheep in Karachi as the climate is too hot in the summer and tick fever could be a problem. A single, good, milking cow would be the best but the cost, unless you rear it from a calf and are prepared to wait until it is old enough to be mated and have a calf of its own but — think of the manure!

It is also much easier to fence in or tether a cow than it is to sheep and please — no goats as they are highly destructive and unbeatable escape artists who will wreck your garden completely. Stable the cow close to the house and the chickens at a reasonable distance but do ensure that they cannot get into your vegetable patch. Fencing off the vegetable patch is better than fencing the chickens as they will do an excellent job of keeping the rest of the garden relatively pest free. Eventually, when budget allows, you may like to include aquaponics as well and grow your own fish!

Q. I have an ‘imli’ tree (Tamarundus Indicus) growing in Defence, Karachi. The tree is now 12 years old. There is no insect pest or soil problem. Water and sunshine are ample. Flowering is also copious but they all shed before the fruit is formed. What can stop the flowers from shedding?

A. The problem is one of pollination. Tamarind trees are best grown in threes or sixes to ensure that both male and female trees are present for the necessary cross pollination for fruit to set. You need more tamarind trees!

Q. I live in Karachi and there is some problem with my grass and roses: The rose flowers do not grow properly and die off. The grass turns white and dies too. What is the problem?

A. There would appear to be a dire lack of nutrients in the soil throughout your garden. This must be rectified, completely before you can have a successful garden. Removing all top soil — this is a major task — and replacing it with a new mix of sweet earth, organic compost/organic manure is one way or, alternatively, build a series of raised beds, fill them with the new mix and grow only in these, laying stone or gravel pathways in between rather than grass.

Q. I have banana trees my garden in Karachi. They are the small ‘elichi’ type. Originally I had just one tree and now, from that one, I have eight. When the first tree fruited the trunk was solid and green and the fruit was sweet and plentiful. But now the trunks are turning brown and the fruit is not healthy. The trunks of even the baby trees are turning brown. Is there something wrong?

A. It is highly probable that there are nematodes in the plant roots/corms. Please consult your local agricultural department on how to deal with this although my advice is to remove the plants completely, replacing them with something else altogether as the soil will be heavily infested with banana nematode pests.

Q. My papaya tree has suddenly developed a problem and the unripe fruit has started falling off. What can I do?

A. This problem is usually associated with incorrect irrigation. Please ensure that the soil is not allowed to dry out completely in between giving water. Little and often is the rule. If this doesn’t solve the problem then please let me know.

Q. I usually live in Australia and am currently posted to Islamabad. At my home in Western Australia I had a sandpaper vine. It originates from South America as far as I’m aware. I visited Karachi recently and saw one growing there which came as a complete surprise and has made me want to grow one in Islamabad. Where can I source it from?

A. Yes it is a South American native, botanically called ‘Petrea volubulis’ and known in Pakistan as ‘Bridal creeper’. Both blue and white flowering varieties are grown here. I have seen it in Karachi and Lahore but you may be able to find it in Islamabad nurseries if you search. It may need, in Islamabad, winter protection until established.

Please continue sending your gardening queries to zahrahnasir@hotmail.com. Remember to include your location. The writer will not respond directly by e-mail. E-mails with attachments will not be opened.