TBI TEAM 14 July 2025
According to Lizzie John, an urban gardener from Bengaluru, pomegranate trees easily grow in the Indian climate. “Pomegranate is a bushy tree that can be grown in a small space, provided it gets enough sunlight,” she says.
2. Choose the right pot Since it is a fruit-bearing plant with large roots, plant it in a large pot or drum. Lizzie recommends using a large plastic bucket or drum for planting fruit trees. Additionally, consider making some holes at the bottom of the planter to ensure proper drainage and prevent water from accumulating in the soil.
4. Layer your soil and potting mix Place a layer of dry leaves at the bottom of the pot, then add a layer of the soil mix. Keep repeating the process and create at least three such layers of dry leaves and potting mix. Keep the prepared pot for at least a week before planting the sapling, she advises.
“Take a plastic bottle and cut off the bottom part. Insert the open mouth into the soil in the pot. Fill the bottle with kitchen waste, dry leaves, etc, and add a bit of jaggery, buttermilk, or cow dung. Cover the bottom part of the bottle with a coconut shell. The mixture inside the bottle will nourish the plant as it decomposes.”
7. Keep pests away naturally Lizzie asserts that you do not need chemical pesticides to keep the bugs away. She shares, “Mix 5 ml of neem oil in one litre of water, add some soap or detergent, and spray it on the plant.”