Creating Paradise through Home Gardening

Home gardening is a fantastic option for many people, whether it’s in a sprawling backyard, a small balcony, or a terrace. Gardening offers an opportunity to connect with the natural world and deepen your appreciation for the environment. It also reduces stress and promotes relaxation. Whether you garden in the backyard, on a balcony, or indoors, it adds beauty and greenery to your living space. Gardening allows you to express your creativity through landscaping, container gardening, or arranging indoor plants, enhancing the aesthetics of your home.

My grandparents owned numerous trees like mango, guava, jackfruit, and plantains such as coconut, date, and areca palm. They were proud owners of a diverse array of plants adorned with colorful blossoms and leaves, as well as flavorful herbs. During vacations, we used to visit my grandparents and spend quality time in their extensive garden. I often joined them in gardening and observed them using regular kitchen spices and waste for curing and fertilizing their garden. Now, I have created a small paradise on my balcony and have started applying the simple yet effective age-old gardening wisdom from my grandparents. I must say, that I am the proud owner of a small yet beautiful garden that keeps me happy and connected with nature.

I would like to share some tips from my grandparents’ treasure trove of gardening wisdom that have helped me keep my plants healthy.

• Soak an equal amount (about 30 grams, depending on the number of plants) of green chili, garlic, and ginger overnight in a liter of water. Strain the mixture into a spray bottle or any container, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil, and mix in some soap nut water. This solution should be sprayed early in the morning once every two weeks if there are no pests. If pests like mealy bugs or ants are present, spray the solution more frequently.
• Clean the foliage of houseplants by spraying them with diluted soap nut water once a month.
• Mix 2-3 tablespoons of curd with two liters of water and spray the mixture on the plants. This provides nourishment for the curry plant.
• Soak vegetable and fruit peels in water overnight or for more than two days, then use this water to irrigate the plants.
• Dilute 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder in 1 liter of water and spray it on the plants and soil to get rid of ants.
• Regularly loosen the soil and water the plants before sunrise or after sunset.

Through gardening, I have not only nurtured green life but have also found solace and fulfillment. Gardening has allowed me to teach my twins the importance of nature, and as a mother, I experience immense joy when I see their happiness at the sight of a new bloom. Gardening is not just about the blooms we see; it’s also about the peace we feel and the memories we cherish.

Bidisha Ghosh is an ex-teacher, mother of twins, nature enthusiast, and avid reader. Has developed a deep bond with healthy baking for her twins.