Every seed, step by step

Year-round; best Feb–Apr and Sep–Oct

• Soak: 12–24 hours in warm water.
• Sow: 1.5 inches deep in a poly bag.
• Transplant: 25-day seedlings, 2 metres apart.

Aug–Nov (winter crop); Feb–Mar (summer crop)

• Soak: 12–16 hours in water.
• Sow: 2–3 seeds per mound, 1 inch deep.
• Care: provide a trellis for the vines.

Oct–Nov and Feb–Mar

• Prepare: soak seeds for 12 hours.
• Sow: 2–3 seeds per mound, 1 inch deep, mounds 5–6 ft apart.
• Site: full sun gives the best yield.

Feb–Jun

• Soak: 24 hours in water.
• Sow: 1 inch deep in rows 1.5 ft apart.
• Soil: does best in loam.

Feb–May and Oct–Nov

• Prepare: soak seeds for 12 hours.
• Sow: 2 seeds per mound, 2–3 ft apart.
• Trellis: add one when the vine starts to climb.

Sep–Nov (nursery)

• Nursery: sow 0.5 inch deep in a seed bed.
• Transplant: 20–25-day seedlings, 1.5–2 ft apart.
• Support: stake plants once fruit sets.

Aug–Oct (nursery)

• Seedlings: sow half an inch deep in a seed bed.
• Transplant: 25–30-day seedlings every 1.5 ft.
• Care: regular water and organic manure.

Oct–Dec and Feb–Mar

• Prepare: soak overnight for faster sprouting.
• Sow: 2–3 seeds per mound, 1 inch deep, 5 ft apart.
• Care: mulch with straw as the plant grows.

Feb–May

• Soak: 12 hours.
• Sow: in mounds 3–4 ft apart.
• Trellis: let it climb high.

Feb–May and Aug–Sep

• Soak: 12–24 hours — the coat is hard.
• Sow: 2 seeds per mound, 1 inch deep, 3 ft apart.
• Trellis: essential for this vine.

May–Aug (early monsoon)

• Soak: 12 hours.
• Sow: 2–3 inches deep in a pit or poly bag.
• Transplant: when seedlings reach 1–2 ft.

Oct–Feb

• Process: split each seed in two, then soak 12 hours.
• Sow: scatter on level soil and cover lightly.
• Water: mist gently.

Winter: Aug–Oct; summer: Feb–Apr

• Nursery: raise seedlings in a seed bed first.
• Transplant: 25–30-day seedlings, 2 ft apart.
• Care: ensure good drainage.

Winter: Sep–Nov; summer: Feb–Mar

• Seedlings: raise in a seed bed.
• Transplant: at 4–5 leaves, 1.5 ft apart.
• Light: needs plenty of sun.

Jul–Sep

• Soak: 12 hours, then sow in mounds.
• Spacing: mounds 4–5 ft apart.
• Trellis: build a sturdy bamboo or cane trellis.

Aug–Oct (nursery)

• Nursery: raise seedlings in fine soil first.
• Transplant: 25–30-day seedlings, 1.5 ft apart.
• Feed: apply organic manure at the base.

Almost year-round; best Feb–Oct

• Sow: scatter evenly on crumbly soil.
• Cover: press in under a thin layer of soil.
• Sprouts: within 3–4 days.

Sep–Dec

• Soil: till deep and soft.
• Sow: 0.5 inch deep in rows, 6 inches apart.
• Care: thin out crowded seedlings.

Feb–Jun

• Soak: 12–24 hours.
• Sow: in mounds or rows 1–2 ft apart.
• Support: give bamboo or wooden stakes.

Oct–Nov

• Sow: broadcast evenly on crumbly soil.
• Rake: rake seed just under the surface.
• Irrigate: a light watering at 20–25 days.

Feb–Aug

• Sow: scatter evenly over the soil.
• Cover: a little soil or ash on top.
• Water: mist lightly every day.

Oct–Nov

• Soil: must be very soft and crumbly.
• Sow: half an inch deep in rows, then cover.
• Care: keep weed-free and evenly damp.

Sep–Jan

• Sow: in rows or broadcast on soft soil.
• Water: regular light misting.
• Harvest: ready in 25–30 days.

Sep–Feb

• Sow: can be broadcast thickly for greens.
• Water: sprinkle lightly after sowing.
• Harvest: greens in 20–25 days.

Feb–Aug

• Soak: 12 hours is best.
• Sow: into muddy or wet soil.
• Care: keep the soil well moist.

Feb–May

• Soak: 12–16 hours.
• Sow: 1 inch deep in mounds 3–4 ft apart.
• Trellis: give a tall trellis.

Feb–May

• Soak: 12 hours.
• Sow: 2–3 seeds per mound, 1 inch deep.
• Care: train vines onto a roof or trellis.

Sep–Nov and Feb–Mar

• Seedlings: raise healthy plants in a nursery.
• Transplant: 25–30-day seedlings, 1.5–2 ft apart.
• Feed: a balanced mix of organic and chemical fertiliser.

Feb–May

• Soak: 12 hours.
• Sow: 2 seeds per mound, 3 ft apart.
• Trellis: provide a proper trellis.

Dec–Feb

• Soak: 12–24 hours in lukewarm water.
• Sow: 2 seeds per mound, 1 inch deep, 5–6 ft apart.
• Water: steady, moderate watering once fruit sets.