Glorious jasmine Q. I am interested in growing guavas, organically, in Rawalpindi and need guidance please.
A. Excellent that you have chosen to grow organic. Prepare soil by adding lots of old / well-rotted, organic manure, plus, lots of, preferably home-made, compost. Ensure that drainage is good and that the site receives lots of direct sun. This is the perfect planting month. Codling moth larvae are nasties to prevent: tie ‘grease bands’ — strips of greased sacking / cardboard — around the tree trunk and main branches, each October, changing them for new ones every month until late spring, disposing of used bands sensibly. This prevents codling moth larvae from climbing the tree, they get stuck in the grease bands, to lay their eggs in the fruit. Fruit flies are another issue: hang plastic bottles, half-filled with sugar water and a little powdered yeast, in tree branches as soon as fruit begins to form. Fruit flies will be attracted to the sweet water, fly into the bottles and drown. Top up the water as needed, adding more sugar / yeast and keep this up until fruit has been harvested. You may also need to net the tree against birds.
Q. I live in DHA, Karachi, close to the sea. Is it okay to plant a guava tree in my garden and, if so, when is the correct time of year to do this?
Growing fruit trees requires a commitment to pruning and close monitoring of pests
A. Perfectly okay but, if your garden is exposed to wind, erecting some kind of wind protection is advisable otherwise new growth / leaves may get wind burnt.
Q. I have a passion for gardening but lately my mali left and the burden is now on my shoulders. Currently, I am having a problem with my guava trees, the fruit is ripe but the birds are taking it all. What can I do? I reside in Lahore.
A. Simply net the tree to prevent birds from feasting on the ripe fruit.
Q. I have a small back garden at my home in Malakand. The garden receives very little sunlight. I need to know what vegetables can be grown in winters. There is also slight frost here.
A. Vegetables for harvesting over winter and into spring are best started off in late summer and autumn for your growing / climatic conditions. Sow seeds of winter cabbage, winter cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mustard, giant red mustard, kale, leeks, winter radish, turnips, beetroot and hardy winter lettuce from the end of August to mid-October for best results. Remember to feed the soil — organically of course — prior to planting.