Juicy melon | Photos by the writer
Q. I am determined to grow organic fruits and vegetables in my garden but am confused. When we buy seeds from the market the seeds are probably from inorganic fruit. When we grow these seeds organically, will it be an organic fruit? Similarly, the fruit and vegetables bought from the bazaar are always inorganic; if we save seeds from them and grow them organically, is the crop organic or not?
A. Excellent questions! Firstly, to ensure that you grow 100 percent organic crops, the seed must be from a certified organic source and this will be clearly stated on the packet. Unfortunately, such seeds are extremely difficult to find in Pakistan at the moment although, in time, hopefully this will change. If you buy fruit/vegetables from a supposedly organic farmers’ market — these are popping up all over the country now — they may, or may not, have been grown from certified organic seed but, having been grown organically, are marketed as being organic. Technically speaking, in my opinion, if you use fully organic growing methods, the crops can be considered organic but an organic purist would probably disagree.
Try to find a source of certified organic seed if you can. Meanwhile, do your best with what is available and be happy in knowing that what you are growing organically is chemical free and, therefore, far superior (for human health and the environment) than the chemically grown produce in bazaars. For produce and seed to be legally certified organic, the land on which it is grown must also, through a long and expensive process, be certified organic.
All your gardening queries are answered here
Q. I want to grow melons in Karachi and need guidance on the following: How to save seeds from the market-bought melons? Which time of year are the seeds sown? How much space does each plant require and are they climbers or creepers?
A. Melons sold in the market may very well have been grown from hybrid seed. Seed saved from these may not produce the same quality of melon as you originally bought. It is better to buy seed from a reputable seed seller. In Karachi, melon seed is sown from early spring through to early summer so you need to wait until next year to make a start. Plants should be planted from three to five feet apart with corresponding space all round as a general rule but this varies depending on the exact strain. Melons can be trained to climb up and over nets, as long as the nets have strong support as both plants and melons are heavy, but they are quite at home if left to ramble around on the ground.
Q. I have a lemon plant, growing in a pot, in my Rawalpindi garden. The tree flowers but the flowers fall off without setting fruit. What is the cause for this and the solution? Can I stop watering after the flowers appear?