Kitchen Garden / Back-Yard Planting Guide (বাৰীৰ বনৌষধি)
Practical horticultural wisdom tailored for Assamese households. Learn ideal pot sizes, native soil blends, organic pest fixes with buttermilk/ash, and optimal harvest timings for potent kitchen medicine.
Krishna Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Earthen pot (10-12 inch) or dooryard raised mound (তুলসীৰ ভেটি)
Full sun; requires 4-6 hours direct morning sunlight
Moderate; water when top inch of soil feels dry. Never waterlog roots.
Pinch top shoots in early morning before high heat for peak eugenol content.
Spray wood ash water or diluted cow urine/neem oil for aphids.
Regularly pinch off purple flower spikes to keep foliage bushy and long-lived.
Manimuni (Indian Pennywort)
Wide shallow earthen trough or shady garden corner
Partial shade to filtered dappled light; avoid harsh scorching sun
High moisture; keep the root zone consistently moist.
Pick outer fully formed coin leaves leaving runner roots intact.
Slug barrier: sprinkle crushed eggshells or wood ash around border.
Plant near your kitchen water drain or wash area where soil stays naturally humid.
Pasotia (Chaste Tree)
Large heavy drum or backyard fence boundary
Full open direct sun
Low; only water during extended drought periods once established.
Harvest mature 5-finger leaves in morning for joint oil preparation.
Naturally pest resistant; acts as a natural pesticide itself.
Prune heavily after monsoon to encourage vibrant new shoots in spring.
Tengesi Tenga (Wood Sorrel)
Medium hanging basket or border cover around larger pots
Morning sun or bright indirect light
Regular moderate watering
Snip tender heart-shaped leaflets before flowering for maximum sour tang.
Practically immune to insects; watch out for excessive weed choking.
Grows vigorously without care; once planted in a pot corner, it self-seeds annually.
Aada (Ginger Rhizome)
Wide crate, grow bag, or raised garden ridge (depth 12+ inches)
Dappled semi-shade; thrives under the light canopy of banana trees
Consistent light moisture; never allow water stagnation which rots rhizome.
Harvest after 8-9 months when outer foliage turns yellow and dies down.
Dust planting nodes with wood ash and dry turmeric to stop fungal rot.
Select plump ginger nodes with visible green eyes (sprouts) during Bohag season.
Narasingha (Curry Leaf Tree)
Large earthen pot (14-16 inch) or open sunny yard
Full sun (minimum 5 hours daily)
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; avoid overwatering in winter.
Harvest whole leaf stalks from top stems rather than plucking individual leaflets.
Spray sour fermented buttermilk (টেঙা ঘোল) diluted 1:10 with water against whiteflies.
Feed with sour curd water or rice-washing water once a fortnight for lush deep-green aroma.
Pudina (Field Mint)
Wide shallow planter or kitchen windowsill box
Morning sun with afternoon shade
High; keep soil moist daily especially in hot months.
Snip stem tops regularly; frequent trimming stimulates bushy spread.
Spray mild neem decoction for tiny green aphids.
You can root market-bought fresh mint stems in a glass of water for 4 days before planting!
Gandhamalati (Lemongrass)
Sturdy earthen pot (12-14 inch) or sunny garden edge
Direct sunlight all day long
Moderate; water twice weekly in winter, every other day in hot summer.
Cut outer leaves near the base using sharp shears, leaving inner cluster growing.
Natural insect deterrent; requires zero pesticides.
Divide the dense root clump every two years to plant new pots or share with neighbors.