BENGALURU: For Jasmine Fernandes, 59, it has been a good 16 years so far, since she took to terrace gardening. Teresa at the Missionary of Charity in Kolkata, admits that she has imbibed her spirit of serving and helping in her gardening practices.
“I was running a kindergarden on a roof top and used to grow plants there too. When I constructed a house, I made arrangements to have plant boxes on the terrace,” she says. Jasmine has all types of fruits and vegetables growing in her garden. She has worked previously with Saint Mother Jasmine who practises organic gardening. “I have not taken any classes for gardening. It is an in-born thing,” she says. The Keralite adds, "In my hometown, I used to see my mother putting vegetable waste and making compost out of it. I also got a bio gas plant built last year."
Jasmine prepares her own pesticides too. “You can use ingredients such as garlic, onions and chilli to make pesticides. If you are able to take care of the plant properly, they'll not get infested by pests,” she says. Jasmine believes in co-existence and does not want to kill any plant. “Only if it is needed for the survival of a plant, I take out weeds,” she adds. Jasmine visits the garden for an hour every day and believes that anyone can maintain a garden. “All you require are interest and hardwork.”
“My garden has a jungle spirit to it. I have almost everything in it. From ornamental flowers to creepers and vegetables, it is all available there.” Jasmine does not visit the market anymore to procure the vegetables. She uses her harvest instead and shares some with her friends too. “I don't sell vegetables because it is difficult to exhibit it regularly. My family is involved in harvesting more than gardening,” chuckles Jasmine.
Jasmine says urban gardening can involve growing different kinds of plants in a very limited space. “Once you get interested in gardening, you can develop skills as you go. You can grow plant in an disposable thing that can hold water and soil,” she adds. Jasmine wants more people to take up gardening and says that growing one’s own vegetables is a healthy alternative.