CHENNAI: We know pesticides and chemical fertilisers are commonly used to grow food, so starting a kitchen garden is a great idea.
In addition to growing safe food, I quickly discovered that my garden helped me slow down. Even if I don't cover my daily needs, the joy of harvesting my first tomato was totally unforgettable.
I grow both in terracota pots and directly in the soil since I am lucky to have a little bit of space. I started with simple plants such as chilly, tomato, brinjal, palak, pudina… I also have a lemon tree, bryophyllum and curry leaves that attract lovely butterflies.
I enjoy gifting saplings, exchanging seeds and tips about gardening, there is so much one can learn from Mother Nature.The experience of gardening is not complete without composting.
You can put your kitchen waste in a container with holes ,with some browns (dry leaves or cocopeat), microbes (sour buttermilk). Keep covered, protected from the sun and the rain. Mix every 4 to 5 days.
Once your container is full your compost will be ready in a month's time. The garden waste can be stored in a gunny bag and after breaking down, use it to mulch your plants. Mulching will help the soil stay moist then you will need less water. Rainwater harvesting is a must and make sure you do it.
There is a condition called Nature Deficit Disorder that affects many urbanites, and they may not even be aware that they are affected. Being connected with Nature is more than ever the need of the hour.
The 4 ‘S’ to success: Soil, a rich soil with compost and manure will give you healthy plants, they will be more resistant to pests.- Seeds, they are very important, use local seeds more suitable for the climate.
You can learn to harvest your own seeds after getting more experience- Sun, to grow vegetables you need a lot of sun. Greens can grow in the semi shade- Season, grow what is seasonal. Find out when to plant what.
(The writer is an avid gardener and has written the book, Trashonomics)