This month let’s take a look — to be followed by action of course — at two important gardening jobs which can be done right now: The first is to multiply whatever you can and thus save yourself a pocketful of cash in the process and the second, this may not go down as well, to replace those criminal, water wasting, time consuming, ‘lush green lawns’ that, by now, you all know I hate!

Numerous shrubs, creepers and other perennial plants can be multiplied by taking cuttings or by layering this month. And if all goes well, as it should, you will have lots of healthy, young plants in your own garden or to swap with friends for something completely different. Cuttings are generally taken from strong growth, which may be old, woody growth or new, green growth — depending on the species to be multiplied with. For example, geraniums, carnations, roses and poinsettias all root better if cuttings are taken from green or ‘semi-ripe’ (this means strong but not woody) growth. The cuttings should be four to six inches in length, have all but the top third of the leaves snipped off and any flower buds removed. The bottom one third should be inserted, carefully so as not to cause any damage, in a suitable, organic compost — preferably homemade and then kept, at this time of the year, in a sunny spot. The compost should be just lightly moist — not wet or they may rot — until new growth becomes apparent. They can then, if temperatures have soared, be moved into partial shade or, in the case of geraniums, a nicely shaded veranda is ideal.

Other perennials from which cuttings can now be taken include the following: Hardy fuchsias, acalypha, achania, aralia, brunfelsia, cassia, clerodendron, eranthemum, frangipani, jatropha and plumbago.

Some climbers, creepers and those delicious strawberries which should, at least in Karachi, be fruiting now, are easily multiplied by layering and some, strawberries being a prime example, will have, or soon will, send out runners all on their own. Climbers and creepers such as monsteria, philodendron, pothos, beaumontia grandiflora, bignonia, honeysuckle, clitoria ternatea, passiflora and philodendron can all be multiplied by pegging — a bent piece of wire will do the trick — them into the ground or into a conveniently placed plant pot. Pegging a piece which is already showing some root development will speed matters along, until they have developed root systems of their own when they can be cut away from the parent plant and grown on. The same goes for strawberry runners and runners of other plants.

Now: The contentious subject of lawns which, unless you are prepared to fence them and use them as grazing for sheep, a cow, goats or geese, have no sensible place in the water short world of today. This space should be utilised as an orchard, as vegetable, herb and edible flower garden or, if large enough, as a combination of all of these wise things, plus, free range chickens too. Although it is a better idea to keep the chickens in easily movable runs so they can be moved around selectively and do not get a chance to wreck seed beds and vegetables alike. If you opt for a fruit orchard only, chickens kept free range underneath the trees will deal with the vast majority of crawling or climbing pests, fertilising the ground in the process.Being well aware that these monstrosities — ‘lush green lawns’ — are still considered an integral part of any garden by the outmoded Horticultural Society and that the coveted ‘Gold Medal’ will not be awarded to a garden without one, I will stretch my neck out and say that it’s well past time that the rules were changed and that a garden is judged on productive merit rather than solely on its ornamental impact. I also realise that it is, for would-be gold medalists, too late in the season and too close to competition time to change but please do give replacing lawns serious consideration the second the competition is over and done with. After all is said and done, one cannot weigh maintaining a wasteful lawn against the stark fact that well over half of the population of the country go to bed both hungry and thirsty each and every single day of the year and that their numbers are increasing.

With water conservation a priority these days and for the foreseeable future, it is a wise gardener who organises and plants their garden to use as little water as it possibly can. This too should either be recycled household water, recycled sewage water or from rainwater/dew collection systems — some easier and much lower costs to install than others.

Additionally, please keep in mind that indigenous plants, especially those which are locally indigenous, have evolved to cope with localised soil and climatic conditions. These are, therefore, less prone to water stress and to local pests and diseases than the imported ‘exotics’ which have become so popular in recent years. The majority of ‘exotic’ species being from moister climates require tremendous amounts of precious water while indigenous ones do not.

In the all important — organic please — vegetable garden, this month, as soon as temperatures begin to rise, sow seeds of pumpkins, squash and other members of the gourd family. You may also plant lots and lots of okra but remember to soak the seed overnight in warm water first to help with germination, plus, more tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, spinach, radish. You can also go for more of all the delicious ‘other’ vegetables you and your family enjoy along with lots of interesting culinary herbs and edible flowers, nasturtiums for one.

Towards the end of the month sow the first of your aubergine seeds and keep on sowing, a few seeds every week, over the next few months so that you have, as with tomatoes, an extended supply to keep you going for as long as possible. Plan in a way that, come Ramazan, you are not at the sabzi walla’s mercy!

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.