Berry-licious!

In my little balcony where I am put up in Bangalore, I planted tomatoes a few months back. All I did was to keep aside a couple of seeds from the tomato I was chopping for dinner that day. Since planting, watering plants and relocating them is not advisable after sundown, I impatiently waited until the next day morning and planted them. For this I emptied an old, unused pot and broke all the lumps of mud into free-flowing mud, and poured it all back ensuring there were a few pieces of broken pieces (from a mud pot) at the bottom and some opening for excess water to drain. And just before I slapped on the last layer of mud, I spread the tomato seeds. And nicely wet the mud.

Eagerly, I would get up everyday to see the progress and water it. Just water it. Leaving the earthworms and all other forms of life alone. And made sure it got its daily dose of sunlight. No. There was no magic. But slowly and surely it has grown into a big plant and gotten little buds. Soon there will be flowers, and little berries (yes, tomatoes are berries) and tomatoes from my very own plant.

While I wait impatiently, I think it would be a great idea for all of us to have a little kitchen garden. I mean grow a little of what we eat. Chillies, maybe some small melons, okra (ladies finger), eggplant (brinjal), cucumbers, a sprig of coriander or mint or curry leaves. Just as much as the little space cities have left for us. I came across this article – How To Grow Food In Strange Places the other day of how people from different parts of the world are growing their own food in whatever space they possibly can. This way you will be extra cautious and ensure you don't spray that nasty chemical onto the juicy pomegranate because you're going to eat it! And we'll all collectively reduce stress on the limited land (every year hundreds acres of forest are mowed for agriculture alone or to grow cattle feed like in the Amazon)!

Just as important is to grow just what the climate of the place permits. To have as little stress on the environment as possible, and to ensure that what you are eating is healthy also comes from growing locally grown food, which is appropriate to the season. For instance, chillies grow through the year but cucumbers are best suited for summers. Forcing things to grow out of season – mangoes in the winter for instance is not good for the environment or for your health.

Even if it's for the joy of it, plant, grow. Now that winter's around the corner, I can't help but think of planting some strawberries!

PS

No. You needn't be a horticulturist to grow plants. Or a plant specialist. Or a gardener. Anyone can grow.

Grow different plants every season. You'll have new things to look forward to.

Grow wherever you can. In ice-cream tubs or broken mugs. Any place that will give your plant some root space and won't stifle it.

Maybe you can grow with friends or neighbours and have a variety to share from.