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What can I grow now?

50 plants can be sown in March in North India. Narrow it further by space, goal or region — or step through the months below.

Hot dry summers, a July monsoon and a real winter — the widest sowing calendar in the country.

Resurrection Fern (संजीवनी), Selaginella bryopterisAjwain Leafअजवाइन पत्ताPlectranthus amboinicusThick scented leaves on a succulent stem; one plant fills a windowsill pot for years.Tree Tomato (तमरिल्लो), Solanum betaceumAmaranthचौलाईAmaranthus tricolorThe monsoon green that grows itself — heat-proof, rain-proof, ready in a month.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaArabian JasmineमोगराJasminum sambacA pot by an open window does more for a summer evening than any air freshener.Tree Tomato (तमरिल्लो), Solanum betaceumBitter GourdकरेलाMomordica charantiaA tough climber that fruits through the worst humidity of the year.Tree Tomato (तमरिल्लो), Solanum betaceumBottle GourdलौकीLagenaria sicerariaA monsoon climber that will roof a terrace in eight weeks given a frame.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaBougainvilleaबोगनवेलियाBougainvillea glabraThrives on being ignored — the more you neglect it, the harder it flowers.Resurrection Fern (संजीवनी), Selaginella bryopterisBrahmiब्राह्मीBacopa monnieriA creeping marsh herb happy in a wide bowl of wet soil — the one plant you cannot…Tree Tomato (तमरिल्लो), Solanum betaceumBrinjalबैंगनSolanum melongenaA long-season crop that rewards a big pot and steady feeding.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaChampaचम्पाPlumeria rubraGrows from a bare cutting pushed into dry soil; scents a whole terrace.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaChinese Hibiscusगुड़हलHibiscus rosa-sinensisFlowers nearly all year in a warm city, and sunbirds find it within a week.Assam Lemon (कागजी नेमु), Citrus limon var.Chir Pineचीड़Pinus roxburghiiThe resin pine of the lower Himalaya, and the needle litter that makes those fires.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaCockscombलाल मुर्गाCelosia argenteaVelvet crested heads that hold colour for weeks, in sun or half shade.Tree Tomato (तमरिल्लो), Solanum betaceumCowpeaलोबियाVigna unguiculataPods, beans and green manure from one undemanding monsoon plant.Tree Tomato (तमरिल्लो), Solanum betaceumCucumberखीराCucumis sativusFast, thirsty and best trained up a net where air can move around it.Assam Lemon (कागजी नेमु), Citrus limon var.DeodarदेवदारCedrus deodaraThe Himalayan cedar — a slow, magnificent, cold-climate conifer.Assam Lemon (कागजी नेमु), Citrus limon var.DrumstickसहजनMoringa oleiferaThe fastest useful tree there is — 3 m in a year, edible leaves and pods.