How to plant Khejri

Plant Khejri as a nursery sapling with the monsoon rains, in full sun on well-drained soil, and protect it from browsing animals.

When to plant

In the north-west and the northern plains, a good time is about July to August, when monsoon rains help the young plant build a strong taproot (ICAR-CIAH: young seedlings develop a strong taproot within the monsoon). September to October also works with nursery seedlings, with watering through the first dry season. As a rule of thumb, avoid planting in the hot, dry weeks before the rains arrive. In other dry regions, plant with the local rains (see Planting calendar). Months are a guide.

Choosing a sapling

A nursery sapling is the most reliable choice; ICAR-CIAH found Khejri difficult to propagate by cuttings. As our rough starting point (not a study figure), pick a plant about 7–12 months old and 30–60 cm tall, grown in a deep bag so the taproot is not coiled. Check that the label gives the botanical name Prosopis cineraria, not Prosopis juliflora (vilayati babool). Bud-grafted plants of the ICAR-CIAH variety 'Thar Shobha' are an option if you want sangri sooner (see Varieties).

Pit, spacing and protection

As a rule of thumb, dig a pit 45–60 cm on each side and refill it with the dug soil mixed with well-rotted farmyard manure. Plant at the same depth as in the nursery bag. ICAR-CIAH describes planting Khejri in lines 2–4 m apart as a close hedge-row, or 4–10 m apart for horticulture and agroforestry; ICRAF gives 2 × 2 m as an initial spacing for dense plantings. Wider spacing leaves room for a full crown and for crops between trees.

Where goats, camels or other livestock can reach it, protect the young plant with a guard or fence until its crown is above browsing height: ICRAF says protecting young plants against goats and other browsers is essential. In a fenced garden, base the guard on the actual risk.

First-year watering (rough starting point)

This is only a rough starting point for a young plant at a dry north-western site, not a study figure; ICAR-CIAH reports only that life-saving irrigation during establishment gave very high success. Check soil moisture first: water deeply only when the soil around the roots starts to dry, reduce or skip watering after rain, and never let water stand around the roots. Sandy soil dries faster.

• July–September: usually only in a long break in the rains.
• October–February: about every 10–15 days, if the soil is dry.
• March–April: about weekly, if the soil is dry.
• May–June: about every 4–5 days, early morning or evening, if the soil is dry.