“Pallivetta has more than 100 acres of land and half of it has been converted into gardens. Gardening is one of the main vocations here. It provides employment opportunities to women also. Pallivetta has also a rare collection of medicinal plants,” said ward member Shajida Beevi N E. “I am interested in gardening. It is more profitable and interesting than a government job. I’ve been working with my father since I was in Class 10. We use organic fertilisers and apply pesticides once in a month. Now we have an 12-acre nursery. We are planning to expand it by cutting down a rubber plantation,” said Faisal Khan who has MA, BEd degrees under his belt. According to him, the climate of the state is suitable for growing indoor plants and that it is the humidity that makes the difference. “Every household here has own gardens and nurseries. Gardening is more profitable than any other business. The most important thing is that you should take up gardening only if you have a genuine interest in it,” said Salim, a gardener whose nursery’s speciality is different kinds of bamboo saplings.