Goals: food

A four-angled pod from the north-east and the coasts — every part is edible.

A shrubby pulse that stands two years, fixes nitrogen and shelters small birds.

A winter pulse that also gives the sour green leaf of the north.

A short monsoon pulse, sown between crops as much as for the dal.

Sixty days from sowing to dal, and sproutable on a kitchen shelf.

The hardiest pulse of the dry deccan, grown where rain is unreliable.

Quick winter roots for the plains, and greens while you wait.

Ridged monsoon gourd, quick to climb and quicker to over-mature.

A tough climber that fruits through the worst humidity of the year.

The big white-waxed gourd of the south, stored for months after harvest.