CHENNAI: A resident of Hyderabad, Prof V Venkata Ramana, has built himself an oasis amidst the concrete jungle that provides him respite from the blistering summer temperatures.
The 51-year-old former dean of School of Management Studies ay UoH, has slowly grown a small but impressive garden in his home at Khajaguda. As you enter his ‘green zone’, you can see different varieties of plants. From bushes to shrubs, flowery to prickly types it has a number of Crotons, Royal Palms and Duranta. “Six years ago, it was a small lawn and now it is a full-fledged garden.
Nothing comes easy, one has to be patient when it comes to gardening too,” he said.
Sharing tips about maintaining a garden, Ramana says, “Removing weeds monthly is a must because this keeps the plants healthy. Secondly, one has to make sure that there is no plastic or paper dumped in the garden. Trimming trees is also important because this helps them shed old leaves and grew fresh foliage. Water the plants properly and look out for anything unusual in the plant’s growth periodically.”
Does it cost much for the upkeep of the garden? “Initially I spent Rs 1 lakh to set up the garden and now it costs around Rs 10,000 per month,” he says. However, for an enthusiast like him, expense is not an issue. To nurture and nourish the plants, he takes professional help.
“Whenever I am out of town or am unable to tend the garden, my gardener takes care of it. Also, I don't use fertilisers or pesticides. It is organic all the way for me,” he states. He further says. “As jewellery enhances the beauty of a person, a garden is an embellishment to a person’s house. When people visit my place and look at the garden, they can’t stop appreciating it. This motivates me and I am also planning to extend my garden to the parking area.” Ramana believes that one should design the garden according to his or her interest. “When I take a break from my work and visit my garden and I see my plants growing, it feels great. Every day I spend at least an hour with the plants. It rejuvenates me,” he adds.