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People have started growing medicinal plants as part of their kitchen garden. It is good as one gets such plants for daily use.

People have started growing medicinal plants as part of their kitchen garden. It is good as one gets such plants for daily use. They provide immunity against many body ailments and even better if a plant is aesthetically good too. See the accompanying picture. This is Echinacea,the ornamental medicinal plant. Its medicinal product is popular overseas. This rhizomatic plant dries in winter to sprout again in spring. At that time,it can be multiplied by division. It bears bright and bold flowers in summer. The plants can be grown in partial shade too. You can also call it a cousin of the ornamental Rudbeckia,the yellow flower with black disc that you normally grow as summer annual.

* Q: Can you suggest a few herbs for growing in pots? I live in an apartment on the third floor.
Rajni,Chandigarh
A: You can grow chive,thyme,oregano,zimmu (the leaves used to give garlic flavour),celery etc besides the normally grown pudina,dhania,methi and palak.

* Q: What plant is soanjana? I have heard about its many properties. Can I grow it in my garden? How big a plant is it? Is it ornamental?
Manisha,Panchkula
A: Have you heard of Drumstick,Manisha? Soanjana is the same tree. It is also called Moringa. It is used very frequently in South Indian dishes. It is very rich nutritionally. Yes,you can grow it in your kitchen garden provided you have sufficient space to grow a 15 feet tall tree. When in flowering,it is ornamental as it bears creamish white flowers in bunches and also the pods when appear on bare tree look very good.

* Q: Is this the right time to grow methi,palak and tomato?
Gian Chand,Mohali
A: Yes,please go ahead.

* Q: Can I grow Rambutan here? If yes,when and if no why not?
Jawahar,Panchkula
A: Rambutan can not be grown here because it is essentially a tropical plant and is very sensitive to cold conditions. Even a slight frost may kill it. You can grow it in climate like that of Maharashtra.

For gardening queries,ask Dr Green at satishnarula@yahoo.co.in

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