Q: I have recently developed a passion for gardening but have no clue how it works. I would like to grow vegetables in our backyard and would really appreciate it if you could guide me and recommend something that is suitable to Peshawar’s climate. Since I am a college student, I need something that requires few resources and is comparatively less time-consuming.

A: This is wonderful news and I wish the very best of luck in your endeavours. The first practical step to take is that of soil preparation: Mark out the area to be utilised, clear it of all weeds and stones then, as you are starting from scratch, you can employ one of two methods.

1. Break up the soil surface and mix in a generous amount of old, well rotted, organic manure. Any lumps need to be broken down. The finished result should be a soil mixture which is reasonably smooth and level.

2. If the ground is very hard then turn it into a raised bed by outlining the growing area with bricks and then filling in, without disturbing the hard ground underneath, with a mixture of 70 per cent sweet earth and 30 per cent old, well rotted, organic manure and level it off. The second option can be easier but costs more.

To keep costs down, plant local rather than imported seeds. At this time of year you can grow tomatoes, capsicums, aubergines, chillies, lady finger, spinach and melons which is plenty to start off with. Tomato, capsicum, aubergine and chilli seeds should be sown, just under the soil surface, in seed trays or in a small area of prepared ground and transplanted out into their growing position when large enough to handle. All should be planted 12 to 18 inches apart in rows two feet apart.

The tomatoes will need supporting with canes. Lady finger should be directly planted in the ground at a distance of 12 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, spinach at four to six inches apart and melons three feet apart. Keep watered — evening watering is best — and weed-free. If you have more queries, do not hesitate to ask.

Q: What are the fastest growing plants in dry and hot weather in Lahore?

A: If you are looking for summer flowers, and I suspect that you are, then put in lots of zinnias and tagetes. Both of these are easy to cultivate from seed, love sunshine and, as long as they receive enough water, are relatively trouble free with the added advantage of being bright and cheerful over a long period of time.

Q: Please give a list of creepers suitable for the heat in Lahore.

A: Allamandas are a good, quick growing choice and, irrespective of variety as all have yellow flowers, make a wonderful show as does pink, red or white flowered Antigon, sometimes known as ‘Sandwich Island Creeper’. Beaumontia grandiflora is another excellent choice and is an evergreen with gorgeous, extremely fragrant, pure white flowers during spring. Bougainvillea is great too and there are now lots of colours and even bi-colours to choose from.

Then there are climbing/creeping Clerodendron, Ficus, Honeysuckle, Passion flowers, Petrea volubilis, Porana panicolata or ‘Bridal Creeper, Tecoma grandiflora with its attractive, terracotta coloured, trumpet shaped flowers all summer long, Thunbergia grandiflora, that old favourite the Wisteria and many more.

Q: I want some fragrant flowers to add value to my garden. Please give some recommendations.

A: You have omitted to mention if you are desirous of trees, shrubs, climbers, perennials or annual plants so I will suggest one of each: Tree — Magnolia of which there are currently a number of varieties available. Shrub — Jasmine. Climber — Passion flower, but do ensure that the selected variety is fragrant as not all of them are. Perennial — perfumed roses in assorted colours and height. Annual — Nicotiana has many colours, can be tall, medium or of dwarf habit and the perfume is stupendous.

Q: What is the Urdu name for rosemary? Can it be grown at home and where can I get the seeds? A: There isn’t an Urdu name for rosemary. Nurseries sell plants by this name only. Yes it can be grown at home all depending on where you live and it is easier to buy a plant or propagate from cuttings than to grow from seed. It can be grown from seed though but success rates can be low and seed difficult to find.

Q: How to care for petunias in Lahore. What is the blooming season and will the plants die after flowering?

A: Petunias are sun lovers but last much longer if grown in partial shade during the hot summer months in Lahore. Regular watering around, not on top of, the plants is essential and is best carried out during the evening hours. Petunias can be had in bloom from early spring through to the late autumn if you are lucky and yes, they die off after flowering finishes. If you keep on removing finished flowers instead of letting them form seed heads, the plants will last longer.

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.