Fruits and vegetables like guavas (peyara), wax apples (jamrul), bitter gourds (uchhe) and pumpkins (kumro) are common in Bengal and, being rich in nutrients, particularly vitamins and minerals, they are an integral part of a traditional regular Bengali platter. Though the cultivation of these crops is done by farmers commercially, these can be successfully grown in our gardens, in pots on rooftops as well as in terrace gardens. 

Owing to increasing use of pesticides, the cultivation of fruits and vegetables in our gardens is becoming a necessity. Highly productive grafted saplings of guavas and wax apples and high-quality seeds of bitter gourds and pumpkins are available in standard nurseries during the months of June and end of January, respectively. They can be planted in the ground or in 24 inches growbags or HDPE containers. The soil needs to be a mixture of cow dung and vermi compost for proper growth along with nimkhol to prevent the attack of pests. Regular inspection of the saplings and controlled watering are necessary for healthy growth of the plants. The photos in this edition are of plants nurtured in my garden at Prantik, Bolpur, Shantiniketan. Happy Gardening!!