One thing I don’t have is a green thumb. No matter how hard I try, plants don’t flourish under my care. I have a great space in my yard and just when the world is going green I am struggling between ways to go green and not give up what I already have. I want to landscape my yard so it looks like a nice garden that we can enjoy and I want to make the most of the space so that I can grow edible plants that I can enjoy consuming as well.
Over the years I have had a variety of gardeners that have come and gone. Sadly, most of them were simply in it for the money. Their interest in educating me and developing my yard well was non existent. Last year by some stroke of good luck I found myself a real gardener. Someone who has the knowledge I don’t, who takes his gardening seriously and who is willing to landscape my yard with both edible and ornamental plants and promise to care for them. Since we are used to having a garden to enjoy evening chai in, to do dinner parties in and to periodically set up the badminton net in whenever the urge to play spikes up, I was always wary of the idea of making a vegetable patch. I didn’t want the look of straight rows of vegetables growing. I wanted them nicely placed amongst patches of ornamental plants so the garden wouldn’t lose its aesthetic. Thankfully my gardener indulged me with just what I wanted. I love how, whenever I randomly express my wishes, he goes into a quiet pensive thought shaking his head up and down. It’s like he is scrolling through his thoughts trying to figure out how to make it happen for me.
I visited someone who had a big backyard and when I saw her vegetables growing in abundance I literally felt jealous. What a treat to see the healthy vegetables as opposed to what I bring home from the supermarket. Add to that the fact that you can pick straight from your yard and head to the kitchen. Even with all the weather related challenges people are still growing vegetables and fruits themselves. To see that happening in a home and not some designated farm was an eye-opener. I came home determined I was going to change things in my yard.
We started with lettuce, mint and curry leaves. It’s so exciting seeing plants grow. The first time we made our daily salad with lettuce from the garden it was so satisfying. Then we slowly added spinach and tomatoes. I procured a betel plant from the annual horticulture exhibition that takes place in the city and planted that in my yard as well not because I am fond of eating paan (betel leaves) but because I love how the vine grows. The more we consume from our garden the more I learn about it and the more I want to try new things.
This year we have added papaya trees. I love papayas and I cannot wait for the day I get to try the first fruit. We have enjoyed the coconuts from our coconut trees for years now so adding another fruit is simply more rewarding. I am always paranoid that the birds don’t get to the fruit before I do!
The right spot, the right amount of light, the correct amount of water, the right time of year, the perfect climate are amongst the so many considerations when planting. There is always a way to make it happen though. Maybe what is more critical is the need to go green. A yard isn’t always necessary to enjoy edible plants. Planting in pots will do just fine. The crazy periodic price hikes and the constant debate about pesticide use simply justify the need to plant as much of your own stuff as possible. Imagine making homemade pesto sauce from basil right out of your garden or making your own herb tea using your own grown lemon grass or mint. If nothing else you will have bragging rights.
It all starts with an idea :-)
Inspiring Sherebanu!! You prove the point that you might have a 'green thumb' afterall but just don't know yet about it :-)