GARDENING: MY OWN COUNTRY
There were times when gardeners whiled away hours browsing glossy gardening magazines and discounted gardening books which flood our markets from time to time. Unfortunately, these rarely relate to any kind of sensible gardening here in Pakistan. Over more recent years, online videos of professional and amateur status add to the information deluge and, especially for ‘apprentice’ gardeners, often make it almost impossible to separate what may be sure-fire garden hits in some parts of the world — but bound to fail here — from Pakistan relevant advice.
The situation is further compounded by a far-from-small section of society which implicitly believes everything they read or see on the internet and when this comes to gardening, it amounts to nothing more than an expensive waste of time, effort, cash and gardening confidence.
The basic problem for gardening newbies in Pakistan is a dire lack of country-specific growing information: the little information there is in the open market is generally regionally applicable only as, thanks to the size and climatic/geological diversity we are blessed with, what grows in autumn in Karachi may not grow at all in Peshawar or, if it does, at a very different time of year under differing cultivation conditions.
Suitable gardening methods are specific to every region and plot of land
There are quite a number of Pakistan-based online gardening forums where information and experience are often freely shared. However, these forums are not foolproof either as quite a few on-line experts, well-intentioned as they are, have studied the gardening arts via internet videos/tutorials which simply cannot be applied to the growing conditions here.
Yes, it’s complicated; particularly for those who are genuinely desperate to learn and then to grow whatever it is they dream of.
Yes, it’s a minefield; there are lots and lots of ‘rogue professionals’ hiding on the internet just waiting to take your hard-earned money in return for what resembles a bona fide gardening or permaculture or hydroponic course with an attractive diploma when you pass but … has anything actually been taught and, if so, is it applicable to Pakistan and to your particular ‘corner’ of the country at that?
It’s a conundrum and yes, it can be navigated.
The tips below lead the way to successful gardening in Pakistan:
Never be afraid to ask for gardening advice no matter how basic your question may be. If you don’t understand the answer/s, say so. An experienced gardener is usually happy to share knowledge and help you along the way.
Ask the gardeners you see in action, those who love and care for their plants each and every single day. But do not, you are warned, ask a mali: unfortunately, at least 95 percent of them simply haven’t got a clue aside from advising on how best — and fastest — to spend your money, saving themselves work in the process. The latter also applies to a high percentage of people working in plant nurseries where success is measured in profit.