Chennaiites grow their own greens

There are several groups and individuals who are moving towards chemical-free living and the slew of workshops and events around the theme is testimony to the growing trend. Even the Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops that comes under the Agriculture Department of Tamil Nadu government encourages individuals take to terrace gardening by providing do-it-yourself kits for just Rs 500. Armed with such support and guidance, both homemakers and working professionals are experimenting with different seeds and soil. 

Breaking the myth that the Chennai climate is not conducive for a variety of plants, Jamila Mohamed Ahmed, a resident of St Mary’s Road in Alwarpet, grows pomegranate, cherry tomatoes, pok choy, grapes, lemons, cabbage, capsicum, mango (during the season), lemon grass and turmeric. This is apart from the regular veggies like brinjal, okra, radish and chillies and herbs such as oregano, thyme, mint, basil etc. “The key is to take proper care of the plants and water them regularly. I spend an entire Sunday at the garden and minimum of two hours every day,” says Jamila, who also prepares organic manure in her backyard. 

The world knows 95-year-old V Kalyanam as the personal secretary of Mahatma Gandhi, but not many are aware of his green thumb. The terrace of his residence at Teynampet is a multi-produce garden growing herbs, veggies and even banana and turmeric. “Now, there is a lot of focus on healthy living and a slew of events are being organised to grow pesticide-free veggies. But we have been doing it for a long time and keep the seeds from the last batch and use for the next season,” says Malini, his daughter. 

Sruti Harihara of Goli Soda and Ashvita Bistro, who once fancied becoming a farmer but gave up the idea to meet the realities of life, has however partly fulfilled her wish with a garden on the roof of her restaurant. She grows colocasia among the other regular vegetables including varieties of spinach and drumstick. Sruti also organises organic terrace garden workshops at her restaurant regularly, where a horticulturist guides people through the nitty-gritty of gardening. On October 17, they have a workshop on ‘Care of homestead trees’, which is open to all garden enthusiasts.  

A Vijay Lourdhunathan, an IT employee for several years, wanted to do something to unwind and it was his daughter’s liking for brinjal and ladies’ finger, he decided to grow them in his backyard. Now, he helps people set up terrace gardens. “We give out terrace gardening kits that comprises soil mix, seeds of a few plants, manure, basic equipment etc. The soil we recommend is also a mixture of coco peat, vermicompost, farmyard manure and red soil. The entire kit costs Rs 6,000. 

Most of the produce from the kitchen gardens is for small consumption. However, the gardeners take pride in gifting the produce to friends and family. “Deepavali is around and the healthiest gift to give is a kit or a plant,” says Jamila.

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