Herbs to sow: Nasturtiums, calendulas, parsley, borage, lemon balm, watercress, lovage, dill, aniseed, chamomile, chervil, coriander, chives, garlic chives, oregano, marjoram, thyme, sage, rosemary, fast maturing varieties of lavender and lots of different kinds of mint.
Fruit trees to plant from this month on and until the end of February: Apples, pears, peaches, pomegranates, figs, olives, persimmons, plums, nectarines, olives, apricots, cherries, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mango, loquat, kumquat, custard apple, chikoo, guava, coconut, date, guava, star fruit, banana and jamun — select only those which are suitable for your specific area. You don’t need an actual piece of garden ground in which to cultivate fruit trees as dwarf varieties can (providing correct care is given) grow and produce very well in suitably large clay pots and other containers.
Fruiting vines and fruit shrubs/plants: Grapes, passion fruit, kiwi fruit, falsa and strawberries and, in Karachi and other coastal regions only, pineapples as well.
There are countless flowering shrubs and climbers, including roses, of course, to consider adding to your garden over the coming weeks. We will take a closer look at these in two weeks’ time.
Meanwhile, wander around your garden area and give lots of thought to exactly what you may have space for.
Please continue sending your gardening queries to zahrahnasir@hotmail.com. Remember to include your location. The writer does not respond directly by email. Emails with attachments will not be opened.
Published in Dawn, EOS, December 2nd, 2018