Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica): How to Grow and Care for It in Jaipur

When to plant

The best time is July to mid-August, soon after the first soaking monsoon rains. This gives the roots time to grow before the dry season and the first cold spell.

February to early March also works, but only with regular watering through April–June. Avoid October to December, when the young tree would meet frost before it is established.

Choosing a sapling

Use a polybag nursery sapling. For dry areas, TNAU recommends saplings at least 45 cm tall, because smaller ones struggle through drought. In practice, a sapling 60–100 cm tall and 9–12 months old is a good choice.

Pit, spacing and protection

• Pit: dig at least 60 × 60 × 60 cm, and go to 1 m deep where you hit kankar. Refill with the dug soil mixed with farmyard manure.
• Site: never plant in a low spot where water collects.
• Spacing: 5 × 5 m for block planting, 7 × 7 m where crops or grass grow between trees. For a single shade tree, leave 8–10 m around it.
• Basin: shape a rain-catching basin 1–1.5 m across around the sapling, as recommended for arid-zone tree planting by CAZRI Jodhpur.
• Guard: fit a tree guard against goats, cattle and nilgai. Rats and porcupines sometimes gnaw young stems.

First-year watering (practical advice)

Adjust to how moist the soil is, and never leave standing water.

Season	How often	Amount
Monsoon (Jul–Sep)	Only after a 10-day dry spell	10 L
Post-monsoon (Oct–Nov)	Weekly	10–15 L
Winter (Dec–Feb)	Every 2 weeks, in the morning	10 L
Spring (Mar)	Weekly	15 L
Summer (Apr–Jun)	Every 4–5 days	15–20 L