December usually marks the beginning of the cold winter months, when you take out the warm blankets and sip on adrak vali chai. While you must have your go-to responses to fight the cold, every home gardener is busy thinking about the best fruits and vegetables to add to their kitchen garden.
Since the winter season is not an inviting time for all types of plants, selecting the type which thrives in the cooler weather conditions can become a task. If you are looking for ideal fruits that can withstand the typical Indian winter season, here is a list of plants you can cultivate in your home garden without stressing about the weather.
Oranges
Rich in vitamin C, oranges are a beloved winter fruit. Since oranges typically grow well at colder temperatures, December and even late February are great months to plant their seeds. Just ensure that the soil is sandy with a pH of 6-7. Also, keep adding a citrus fertiliser or well-rotted compost every 3-4 months to ensure the best yield.
Pomegranate
Another fast-growing fruit that can be planted in the winter season is pomegranate or Punica granatum. Since it requires full sunlight and is also a drought-tolerant tree, you can grow it in any season without having to worry about rainfall or cool breezes. All you need to do is regular fertilisation and pruning, and you’ll see the tree bear fruits after two to three years of sowing.
Guava
Guava, or amrud comes in a range of varieties and flavours, but all of them are low-maintenance, making them an ideal choice for home gardeners. They prefer mild winters with temperatures around 15-25°C, so you can plate them early in December before it starts to frost in your region. Some of the other requirements include well-drained soil, neutral pH, and a well-spaced area.
Strawberries
Strawberries are the star fruit of every winter season. Little did you know that while you enjoy having strawberries in chilly weather, you can also plant seeds in the same months. Since strawberries thrive in colder weather conditions, regions like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, and a few parts of Karnataka are suitable for growing them. The best part is after just 2-3 months of sowing, your ripe strawberries will be ready to harvest.
Lemon
Lemon, or citrus limon is a necessary ingredient in an Indian kitchen. Be it for a salad bowl or a curry, having lemons in your home garden can be beneficial for so many reasons. Requiring slightly acidic soil, regular watering, and the addition of a balanced fertiliser, the lemon tree can start producing fruit in just two years after you plant it.