Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy seeds from?
You can buy vegetable, greens, fruit and flower seeds from the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Dept., other plant nurseries, as well as online from Amazon and other horticulture-related e-commerce stores. The quality of seeds you buy is important; try choosing organic, ‘Open Pollinated Seeds’ (OP) — these will give rise to plants that ‘breed true’, and from which you can harvest seeds to replant, unlike Hybrid varieties (usually marked as ‘F1’ on seed packets). Most crops will be available as different varieties and cultivars that have special traits, for e.g, some cultivars are resilient to pest infestations and other common problems found during plant growth. The best options are usually native seeds of local varieties, as these are best suited to local climate conditions. Here are a few organizations from whom you can buy organic seeds.
You can even start a small, limited vegetable garden without buying seeds by re-growing kitchen scraps. Again, try to source native varieties of organic fruits and vegetables as the seeds of most hybrid varieties will not be viable.
I would like to grow rare plants, is there a repository of such plants? Where can I get seeds for these plants from?
There are a handful of gardeners/farmers across South India who have taken up growing rare plants that are endemic to this region, to conserve them and continue to propagate them to save them from extinction. There are seed saving collectives which sell rare and ‘heirloom’ plants’ seeds. Here are some native seed banks that you can contact.
What do I need to set up a garden?
Depending on the available space and size of your garden, the requirements will vary. If you plan to plant indoors, on a window sill, balcony, or terrace space, as opposed to a ground garden, your selection of containers and planters will play an important role. Your choice of crops will also influence what additional structures you may need to build, like a trellis to support climbing plants, or a shade net for crops that need protection from the sun. Here’s a brief guide on Garden Set-Up 101 that covers the basics of setting up your own soil-based garden.
If you are interested in hydroponics or aquaponics set ups, then it is best to consult a specialist who can advise you or set these up for you.
Where can I buy gardening equipment?
Several shops sell gardening equipment as does Amazon. Refer to the Garden Set-Up 101 guide on what you will need for gardening. Here are the contacts of a few organizations from whom you can buy gardening equipment and tools.
How do I grow different plants?
Each crop has a different procedure for planting and growing. If you are buying seeds and saplings, the supplier will often provide some instructions for plant care. The Crop Encyclopedia on this website is a curated database of crops that you can grow at home in Chennai (or a city with similar climate and elevation) with all the basic information you need to grow and look after each crop. Look up the crop you want to grow in our Crop Encyclopedia. Also, be sure to check our Knowledge Base to view guides on various gardening/farming topics, how-to videos and more.
When do I plant different seeds /seedlings?
The Planting Almanac on this website is a ready reckoner of planting and harvesting seasons of various crops you can grow in an urban farm / home garden in Chennai (or a city with similar climate conditions and elevation). You can filter crops based on the level of expertise required to grow them, the space the crop is suited for (balcony/ground/terrace etc.), and the days till first harvest. If you are looking for a specific crop, you can search for it by name in the Planting Almanac, or look it up in the Crop Encyclopedia.
How do I grow greens?
Greens are any variety of crop whose leaves you harvest to eat. In Tamil Nadu, we call these ‘keerais‘ and they can range from herb type plants like spinach and amaranth, to the leaves of shrubs and trees like Moringa (drumstick) and salad greens like lettuce. To grow most herb-type greens, refer to our section on How to Grow Greens. Look up the Crop Encyclopedia for other varieties of greens that require specific care.
How do I grow vegetables and fruits?
Different vegetables and fruits require different inputs and care. Refer to the Vegetable category crops and the Fruit category crops in the Crop Encyclopedia for specific information. If you are choosing to grow exotic fruits and vegetables, keep in mind that you may not find that information in our database as this website is for crops that are suitable for Chennai (or similar cities) and local weather conditions are often unsuitable for exotics. Some exotics may be grown, but will require special conditions and set-ups that may be challenging to implement for urban home gardeners. Before purchasing exotic varieties, always look up information on their care to see if it is possible for you to grow where you live, given your space, size of garden and budget. For general advice, please refer to the Knowledge Base. For expert guidance on setting up your vegetable and fruit garden, here are some contacts for garden set-up and farming consultants, as well as terrace /roof top garden specialists.
How do I grow herbs?
The term ‘herb’ in common usage refers to different varieties of aromatic leafy greens that are used to enhance the flavour and aroma of culinary dishes, or those with specific medicinal properties (like Tulasi). Some culinary herbs common in Western style cooking are Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme. In Oriental cuisine, herbs like Basil, Chives, Lemon Grass are prevalent. In Indian cooking, Mint (Pudhina), Coriander (Kothamali), and Curry leaves are widely used. Culinary herbs that may be grown in Chennai are mostly local varieties of herbs, as well as herbs that can tolerate hotter climes like lemon grass and basil. Given Chennai’s tropical climate, most herbs require at least partial shade to thrive and it is often very hard to grow exotic herbs like Rosemary since they require much cooler climate.
Culinary or medicinal herbs are not to be confused with the botanical classification ‘herb’ which refers to any seed-bearing plant that does not have a woody stem and dies down to the ground after flowering. With a few exceptions, most culinary and medicinal herbs are also botanically classified as ‘herbs’.
Refer to the general guidance note on How to Grow Herbs for more information. See the list of Herb Category crops that can be grown in Chennai in the Crop Encyclopedia (not to be confused with Herb Type crops which lists crops by their botanical classification).
Which plants are easy to grow?
There are a host of vegetables, fruits, greens and herbs that are easy to grow, primarily because they require less maintenance. Some of these are Okra (vendakkai), Tomato (thakali), Eggplant (katharikkai), Chilli, most types of keerai, and herbs like Basil (tulasi), Mint (pudhina) and Curry leaves (karuvepillai). For a longer list of plants that can be grown in homes in Chennai, please check the Planting Almanac and the Crop Encyclopedia on this website, specifically crops categorized as Beginner Level crops.
What type of soil is best for my plants?
Soil is the most important component of any garden. For your plants to be nice and healthy, the soil needs to be healthy and nutritious. The presence of earthworms and other organisms in soil is a good test to ascertain its health. Most experts recommend that the soil be well drained and light with a mix of red-soil, veppa vidhai thool, FYM (Farm Yard Manure or saanam), cocopeat, and bio-fertilizers in the right proportions. You can find more details under Soil Condition guide in our General Guidance section.
What soil depth and plant spacing is required for optimum plant growth and harvest?
Soil depth and spacing requirements vary across plants. For instance, for greens, it is recommended to sprinkle seeds to sow, while for herbs, seeds need to be sown in ridges or holes with soil sprinkled on top. In the case of vegetables, typically only 1 – 3 seeds are planted in the same container and that too at a specific distance from each other and at a specific depth to ensure that each plant has unrestricted growth and to increase its resilience to pests and diseases. You can find plant specific details in the Crop Encyclopedia.
How much fertilizer or compost should I add for each plant? Do different plants have different nutrient requirements?
While nutrient requirements may vary between crops, as a general rule, if you start with good, fertile soil, and if you practice good soil conservation techniques like multi-cropping, you can keep soil that way without having to heavily fertilize on a frequent basis. Most dry organic fertilizers like compost and manure are slow releasing, so start your planting season by boosting your nursery beds by adding such fertilizers.
The type and amount of fertilizers required will depend on specific growth phases of plants, and on which part of the plant you intend to harvest. For instance, fertilizers rich in nitrogen aid in profuse foliage (leaf) growth, so leafy green crops will do well with a nitrogen rich fertilizer (or naturally benefit from companion cropping with legumes). Nitrogen is also required by any plant when developing leaves. When crops bloom (flower), they require potassium and trace elements. Perennials, root crops, trees require more phosphorus. Calcium-rich fertilizers (such as those using egg shells) are useful for plants whose fruits you harvest, like tomato, which can otherwise become calcium deficient.
If you are purchasing organic fertilizers, they will often come with instructions on how much and how to apply them. Liquid fertilizers like panchagavyam will need to be diluted before use. A fistful of compost for each pot is usually sufficient for about 3-4 weeks. Panchagavyam is best used after plants have established themselves (not during transplanting) and are easy to add along with water when irrigating your plants – you can use diluted Panchagavyam every 2 weeks or so. A fistful of compost can be be added every 3-4 weeks by ‘side dressing’ (sprinkling around the base of the plant). You can find more information on fertilizers and how to prepare them in the Nutrients and Organic Fertilizers guide.
How often should I fertilize my plants?
Fertilizers are usually added to your soil mix before planting. Following this, different fertilizers may be required based on the growth phase of the plant and what parts you plan to harvest. Generally speaking, you can apply organic liquid fertilizers like Panchagavyam every 2-3 weeks. Or sprinkle a handful of compost around the base of your plants every 3-4 weeks (before watering). You can find more information on fertilizers and how to prepare them in the Nutrients and Organic Fertilizers guide.
Is soil humidity important? How does one maintain soil humidity levels?
Soil moisture content is important, although ideal conditions vary across different plants. Some plants such as cacti varieties (aloevera / perandai) do not require much watering and grow well in dry soil, while most vegetables, greens, fruits and herbs require the soil to be moist. Soil humidity levels can be maintained through appropriate mulching and by watering the plant with suitable irrigation strategy as per the plant’s need. It is critical not to over water the plants. You can find plant specific details in the Crop Encyclopedia.
What are some of the basic steps involved in garden maintenance?
Successful gardening requires maintenance and care on a regular basis. In general, gardens need to be clutter free and plants regularly pruned and de-weeded. Maintenance requirements also differ according to the type of garden you have. For instance, on-the ground gardens attract more rodents than those on terraces or indoors. Rats and Bandicoots can be kept at bay by clearing clutter and garbage routinely, and setting up rodent-proof mesh fences. Similarly, for terrace gardens, ensuring proper drainage is key to avoid structural damage caused by water stagnation and leakage. While for vertical gardens, typical maintenance tasks include pruning, weeding, rubbish removal, checking plant health, applying fertilizer and so on. Finally, in the case of window or indoor gardens, ensure that you do not over water your plants by periodically checking the soil (not just at the surface by underneath as well), check if the plants receive enough indirect sunlight and if they are growing well in general. If you can see the roots of your plant coming out through the drainage holes in the pot, or the soil dries out very quickly, or plant growth has slowed despite fertilizing, the plant may need to be repotted. Do check our Garden Maintenance page for more information.
When planting on the ground, how can I tackle the problem of bandicoots? Do some plants attract snakes or other dangerous animals?
Rodents and common pests are kept at bay by regularly watching the space for their presence, clearing clutter and garbage, trapping and application of broad spectrum biopesticide. A natural way of keeping rodents away is by spreading Fennel seed (Perunjeeragam) and Cumin seed (Karunjeeragam) powder around the plants. Bandicoots move on soil by repeated sniffing their way through and these strong spices enter their nostrils and deter them from finding and destroying plants. Banana plants can attract snakes but they keep away rodents and therefore can act as biocontrol agents. A rodent mesh fence can also help barricade the entry of rats and bandicoots. Do check the Garden Maintenance guide for more information.
Are birds that visit my garden good for the plants? What are some of the birds I should look out for?
Birds are kept away by installing scarecrows but this applies mostly to larger farms. In general, since home gardens tend to be of smaller scale, they attract smaller birds which do not harm the plants. Most birds are attracted by fruit trees. Birds can help create a thriving ecosystem which is good for your garden and your neighbourhood. Consider building a bird feeder to keep birds happy and away from your plants.
How do I deal with pests? What are some of the natural pesticides that are available and where can I buy organic pesticides from?
Like compost and fertilizers, natural pesticides/ insecticides can easily be prepared at home. You can make your own pest control concoction using neem oil, soap nut, and water. To make the Neem Oil mixture, dissolve 3 gms (3 pinches) of neem oil soap in 1 litre of water. Use this solution using a sprayer or apply using leaves over the plants to cover all parts of the plant.
Chilli + ginger + garlic extract is also a good pesticide that can be made at home. Grind 20 gms of each with some water and soak in 100 ml of any oil for 15 days. Use 2.5 ml of this in 1 ltr of soap nut water. Soap nut water can be made by breaking one soap nut into 1 ltr of water and soaking it overnight.
Other pesticides include salt which deter pests, and helps increase nutrient absorption of elements such as magnesium. Sour curd (300ml curd mixed in 1 ltr of water) is particularly good for diseases. Our Pest & Disease Control page has more details.
If you want to buy natural, organic pesticide, take a look at the list of Organic / Biopesticide vendors in our Service Directory.
What do I need to set up a Terrace / Rooftop garden?
Terrace gardens require some special considerations ranging from whether your roof is structurally sound to waterproofing and drainage, light weight containers and soil mediums to reduce load, and structures to serve as windbreaks and shading. Please go through our guide Garden Set-Up 101 for more information and refer to the Terrace Garden section in particular.
Can someone help me set up a terrace garden?
Yes! Since terrace gardening may require specialist inputs like water proofing, you can consult any of the experts listed in the Service Directory who you can hire to set up your terrace garden for you.
What is the likelihood that my terrace garden could affect the building’s structure and how can I prevent it?
Terrace gardens can be one of two types — set in planters/ containers, or with substrate applied directly to the terrace floor. Using containers will certainly limit any possibility of root damage to the building structure, and will be easier to manage. However, even if you are planning to install your garden directly on your terrace floor, there are methods to help reduce any possible damage through techniques like water proofing and the installation of drainage cells. Aside from limiting root and water damage, the cumulative weight of the soil medium, plants and planters you propose using can influence the stability of the structure. It is recommended to grow plants in grow bags or other light weight alternatives rather than cement or clay pots in order to reduce the load on the building. In addition to being lighter, containers like grow bags are also easy to handle and move around, if required. Needless to say, larger fruit bearing trees or plants with deep growing tap roots are best avoided, though lots of our Thottakara Champions grow dwarf varieties of trees like Guava, Mango and Papaya on their terraces. It is best to check if your building has a structural stability certificate, which is mandatory for any construction, or get a structural engineer to determine strength and load bearing capacity. Do check Garden Set Up 101 for more details. You may also want to consult a specialist who can help you set up a terrace garden by referring to our Service Directory.
How should I harvest fruits/vegetables/greens?
Each plant has different procedures for harvesting produce that depend on what you are harvesting i.e. leaves, fruit, stem or root. For instance, in the case of greens or keerais, harvest just the leaves you wish to eat from the outside of the plants. If plants grow so large that they begin to touch, harvest entire heads to make room. Beans, on the other hand, are harvested by picking pods at moderate to tender stage. With respect to fruits, for bananas, if you are harvesting the fruit (raw or ripe), it is best to cut off the whole stalk and hang in a shady spot to finish ripening, while limes are best ripened on the tree. For more specific information of how to harvest each crop refer to the Crop Encyclopedia. Each crop page will contain a ‘How to harvest’ section.
Can plants be harvested while they are unripe and be allowed to ripen after harvest?
Most fruits generally ripen after harvest such as Banana, Papaya, Chikoos, Guava, Tomatoes and Mangoes to name a few. You can find plant specific information in the Crop Encyclopedia.
What do I do with excess harvest? What are some ways to preserve it?
Preserving excess harvest ensures it does not go to waste and allows it to last longer than its growing season in most cases. You can try making pickles, jams, squashes and cordials or dehydrating and freezing. For e.g., herbs can be frozen in ice trays with olive oil; curry leaves can be dried, powdered and stored; tomatoes can be dried in the oven and pickled; try your hand at making guava cheese, banana halwa or pineapple jam; make a refreshing lime cordial… There are many recipes available online, and we have a small recipe section on this website that we intend to keep growing.
You could also always gift excess produce to your neighbours to inspire them to start their own thottams!