Q. We are adopting a Fukuoka ‘no work’, totally organic, soil building approach to developing our garden. The surrounding farmland is ploughed and we are having a problem with moles which seem to be fleeing the ploughed land and populating our natural garden. They are popping up all over the place and walking around is like playing hopscotch! What are the good and the bad issues with moles? We would like to live in harmony with them but should we consider a non-chemical way of encouraging them to move on?

A. I am delighted to learn that you are disciples of Masanobu Fukuoka whose way of working directly with nature, rather than against it, deserves to be better known and more widely implemented if there is to be a sustainable future for all life forms on this seriously fractured planet. Your local moles have displayed excellent sense by moving in to join you!

These much maligned creatures actually do the land a vast amount of good by creating networks of underground tunnels to utilise excess rainwater by making it easy for it to permeate underground and, eventually, to feed the water table. Mole drainage systems also prevent land from becoming waterlogged and act to aerate the soil. These industrious miners help clean the soil of insect eggs and larvae plus, those molehills regularly cursed by those whose land they appear on, are one of the biggest benefits of all.

These trademark hills, packed with perfectly mixed nutrients in fine soil, are the ideal growing medium for all manner of seeds and plants. Shovelling up molehills for use all over the garden is great morning exercise and the bare patches left behind will quickly green over. Moles generally move on in their own good time, especially if their population expands rapidly, so best to make the most of them while they are there as trying to convince them to leave before they are ready simply doesn’t work!

Q. I have grown a few tomato plants and they are now 14 inches tall with five to seven leaves. I recently noticed that they have developed light and white trails on their leaves which are presumably made by some kind of insect. Please tell me of a good insecticide that I can prepare on my own and which won’t harm the plants much.

A. It sounds very much like your tomato plants have been attacked by leaf miners. Leaf miners are around in various forms and may be the larvae of some species of flies, beetles or other insects. They tunnel through the leaves, feeding as they go and leaving tell tale trails behind them. It is sometimes possible to see them at work by holding a damaged leaf in front of a light. The best organic method of dealing with them is either to squash the miners inside the leaves with your fingers or to snip off heavily infested leaves and dispose of them.

Q. I have grown some red bean plants which are now around 15 inches tall. Their leaves have insect trails on them. How best to deal with this problem?

A. Please refer to the above question and answer for guidance.

Q. How can I make plant food out of egg shells?

A. Bake them in a hot oven until crisp, crumble up the shells and put in a clear container with an airtight lid. Fill the container up with water, stand in a sunny place for 10 to 14 days and then use the liquid (it stinks!) by mixing one tablespoon with four litres water and either spray or water around your hungry plants. You can use this nutrient/calcium rich plant food as often as you like.

Q. I need your help in growing mushrooms at my home in Karachi. I need a guideline on this subject and information about mushroom kits and the availability of them here.

A. Please perform an internet search for the Horticulture Department, University of Faisalabad as they have everything you need.

Q. I have a cheeko tree in my garden in Defence, Karachi. I’ve noticed that some kind of white powder has started to appear on the tree itself, especially on the trunk and also on the fruit. Kindly tell me the remedy for this problem and if the same solution can also be used on other plants as well.

A. Powdery mildew could be the problem with the powder you observe being a coating of fungal spores. This is usually caused by high atmospheric humidity and dryness at the plant roots. It is best to remove/snip off badly coated leaves/fruits, disposing of them sensibly, and then spray the tree with one tablespoon baking soda mixed with one litre water. This treatment is suitable for all plants. Prevention though, is better than cure. Improve air circulation around your plants by pruning back overgrown shrubs, etc., and avoid overcrowding. Be meticulous about clearing up fallen leaves and other plant debris. Also, correct your watering routine and water regularly so that plants do not get stressed out by having dry roots at any time. There are various forms of mildew around and they always go for water stressed or otherwise weak plants first. n

Please continue sending your gardening queries to zahrahnasir@hotmail.com. Remember to include your location. Answers to selected questions will appear in a future issue of the magazine. This takes time. The writer will not respond directly by e-mail. E-mails with attachments will not be opened. Please note: The writer’s garden is not open to the public.