BENGALURU: Many Bengalureans are using the space they have to grow vegetables. Vyas Sivanand gets four urban gardeners and organic farmers to share tips with beginners
Use Native Varieties
B N Viswanath is a pioneer in the urban foodscapes through organic urban farming in general and organic terrace gardening in particular. His efforts since 1995 — through workshops and training events — resulted in more than 10,000 organic urban farmers in the city, growing varied vegetables in containers, harvesting 30 to 80per cent of their vegetable requirements.
He founded the non-profit organisation Garden City Farmers in 2011 to promote organic urban farming. The organisation spearheads the urban farming movement, organising seminars and conferences at the national, state and community levels. He is currently trying to bring National Centre of Organic Urban Farming to Bengaluru to take up the cause of organic urban farming.
Tips for Newbies
Medium to Start
Prepare the growing medium with a combination of soil: animal compost: vermicompost: cocopeat at 1:1:1:1
Source Essentials From
In January and February
Tomato, chilli, okra, brinjal, French bean, cowpea, cluster beans, ridge gourd, cucumber, watermelon, muskmelon, coriander, palak, lettuce and radish.
Innovation to Begin With
You can reuse plastic bottles for growing vegetables in. Cut the bottles at the top, use vertically with drain holes to grow radish. Cut the bottle horizontally at the top and use to grow spring onion.
Watch the plants regularly for insects and disease. Use protective sprays with neem, chilli-garlic-ginger or hing spray.
Contact vishy_kadur@yahoo.co.in
Don't Let Mistakes Worry You
Known by the name 'geekgardener', Manikandan Pattabiraman quit his cushy software job to take up urban farming full time. He writes articles on gardening on his blog geekgardener.in. He has also opened a store that sells gardening and hydroponics products to other enthusiasts.
Tips for Newbies
Medium to Start
Always start with good quality soil meant for the garden, not soil excavated from roads or filler soils. Mix equal parts of soil, compost/manure and sand/cocopeat.
Source Essentials From
In January and February
In the first two months of the year, you can grow salad crops as it is cold, but gradually getting warmer. They are short-term crops and before the summer sets in, they would yield. Watermelon and muskmelon are good options too, and are great to consume in the summer months. You can also grow radish, carrot, spinach, tomato and eggplant.
Innovation to Begin With
Hydroponics and aeroponics are good options to start with. Not only can you save lots of water through these methods, you also get good quality produce. You can always roll up your sleeves and build a vertical garden if you are the DIY type.
Almost all vegetables can be grown on your rooftop. If you're starting out, start with spinach, fenugreek (methi), coriander and tomatoes. They are easier to grow and are consumed almost every day. You can try the exotic varieties, like zucchinis, celery, parsley and strawberries, once you are confident.
Contact: info@geekgardener.in
facebook.com/thegeekgardener
Now's When You can Grow Anything
Padma Kesari, a 49-year-old homemakre, lives in JP Nagar. After her two children went abroad for higher studies in 2013, she started her journey with gardening.
She has a piece of 5,600-sq ft residential plot in Sahakar Nagar, where she grows vegetables, fruits and flowers without pesticides or other chemicals. Her main objective is to keep the plot litter-free and address the concern of the food we eat and where it comes from. This is also her effort to retain the city's green cover.
Tips for Newbies
Medium to Start
Mix cocopeat, horse/cow dung and sand.
Source Essentials From
Varsha Enterprises, B22B, 2nd Floor, B Block, Brigade M M, KR Road, 7th Block, Jayanagar. Tel: 83768 06532, 97400 84247. Website: www.varshaenterprisesblr.com. It is best for homemade compost.
In January and February
All kinds of beans, carrot, radish and greens. Almost all vegetables can be grown during this season.
Contact kesaripadma@gmail.com
Start Small, Go for Big
Hariram Pagadala Sreenath started gardening at young but got engaged in the hustle-bustle Bengaluru lifestyle. He got back to gardening five years ago to help his children understand how food takes form over a period of time before it reaches the plate. He manages to straddle his IT career with his gardening hobby.
Tips for Newbies
Medium to Start
Start with a simple medium composition — red soil + vermicompost + cocopeat in a ratio of 1:1:1. You can leave out cocopeat if it is not accessible.
Source Essentials From
In January and February
All greens, beans, radish, carrot, brinjal, tomatoes and okra. But in a weather like Bengaluru's, don’t hesitate to experiment.
Innovation to Begin With
Grow microgreens. They are fast-growing (seven to 10 days) and highly nutritious. Introduce these power packed small greens to your family.
Every grain and leaf we eat today is potentially contaminated with high levels of pesticides and preservatives. Begin your journey and grow your food organically to experience the difference in you and your family. Remember, there are no expert gardeners. You may fail early and fail fast in gardening. But that just sharpens your natural instincts and helps you learn quickly.
Contact hariramps@gmail.com