How do you create your secret garden? How do you create a green corner even in a rental?
Growing up, we had a backyard. Our apartment was right in the middle of South Kolkata, and we were blessed to have a little place to roam free. The problem was waterlogging. This made having a proper garden difficult. The backyard was also entirely cement bound. But we had a big Jackfruit tree, which was so tall that I was sure that the Faraway tree must have been a distant cousin.
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The tree and its golden spiky fruits are part of many childhood memories. But I digress. This post is to give you some ideas to create your own secret garden or mini jungle. wherever you live.
Did you know just like humans plants like socializing? They like being close to companion plants. Do you know when planted together they enhance each other’s growth? This is the basis of co-planting. It’s also one aspect of the Miyawaki method. Not planting similar plants together and finding plants that will grow in that region. Green plants give oxygen, even when they don’t give colorful flowers or delicious fruits .they improve your overall wellness in multiple ways.
Read this: Effect of Gardening on wellness
For example, Cucumbers don’t grow well with aromatic plants. Potatoes need to far away from other plants. Cucumbers, cilantro, and tomatoes don’t grow well together.
Cucumbers and lettuce grow well together.Beans and carrots too.
It’s mostly the veggies that can cause a lot of problems when planted together.
So in 2013, when we moved into this rental on the first floor of an apartment, t three little balcony on three sides were a pleasure. But they were empty, and the view everywhere was forlorn. It was a nice neighborhood, but I like looking at the greenery and that as missing on the streets.
Thats, when I read the book, Love the home you have by Melissa Michaels .that was quickly my stepping stone to finding harmony and grace even living in a rental.
So what was my goal? What did I do?
First up
I talked to the local nursery owner. He guided me about the plants that were shade-loving,indoor-outdoor, and those who needed full sunlight.
This helped me choose better.
I bought Bougainvillea, red, magenta, Tacoma yellow and orange, and alamunda yellow and Tagar(Crape Jasmine). Musanada, Mandevilla, rose are also part of the flower banquet. These flowering plants are not sensitive, can grow in hot dry or hot humid conditions. Where I live that happens alternately. They are also perennials. So you can watch them grow and flower year after year.
Tulsi(Holi Basil), Areca palm, Chinese Banyan, Variegated plants, Mother in laws tongue(Sansevieria) are for the green cover. I also have a Chikoo tree which fruits every year, and the monkeys eat the fruits before I can. But it gives me the satisfaction of having a fruit tree on my balcony.
Over the years, I have added Pumpkin creepers, a baby mango, green chilies, and lemons in various stages.
In the Lockdown, the green pumpkin shoots were in my collection for the bowl of green mixed veggies.
That was the plants.
What about potting medium and nutrition?
Then you need cocopeat, potting soil: bone meal, blood meal according to the soil your region has.It would help if you also had trays to protect the floors and the rails in your rental or home.
After that, you need to get going with the hard work and let then grow.
Remember to be easy on yourself, and the plants .you need them to have air circulation, sunlight, water, company, and conversation.
Always group your plants, That way they grow better .Group sun-loving plants close to the sunniest part of the balcony and shade-loving ones next to them.
How the sun falls on your balcony in different parts of the day is essential. But plants according to the sunlight you receive. They may not always be flowering, but they will make your indoor air oxygen-enriched air. The lowered indoor air pollutant levels and their shiny green, happy leaves will improve your wellness quotient.
The Miyawaki method of reforestation talks about growing native plants. Thats true for indoor secrets gardens and mini jungles too. Thats why it’s essential that while starting, you don’t start with the exotic plants, orchids, expensive high maintenance plants.
For me, Areca palms have always been high maintenance.
Bougainvillea and Ticoma are actually full-sized trees. But they are hardy plants and grow wonderfully well. I have them on both my south-facing and east facing balcony. The balconies get sunlight only one face, .so the branches all grow outwards, creating a green canopy. It’s visually calming.
What kind of pots should you start with?
For this, I suggest planting in eco-friendly pottery made of terracotta. You will support local and reduce plastic waste .Especially for growing edibles, I use only terracotta. You can have outer ornamental ceramic, metal planters for the decor element when you bring them into your living spaces.
I also like drinking tea and reading sitting on the balcony. I love spend time staring at the green canopy . It’s very calming.
But before you start on any creepers or crawlers, you will have to check with your landlord.
So how does this help me?
In the Lockdown, I realized one crucial thing. You need green nature to survive. I participated in three blogging challenges and published two books between April 2020 and August 2020. That’s was possible because of my family and my green friends. If you want true wellness, with a healthy lifestyle, you will need nature around to improve the wellness quotient.
We love visiting cafes with garden seating. If you are in Kolkata, you must visit Roasterie in Hindustan Park.
Next Sunday, I will talk about the easy DIY Terrarium I made with my daughter. If you haven’t activated the web notification, please do that. So that you don’t miss it.
By the way, remember I reviewed Pindfresh? I enjoyed the green lettuce fresh while the hydroponic solution lasted.
I have to restock on the hydroponic solution, and during Lockdown, that was a problem. I have thus invested now in another Made in India grow your own garden initiative. I Will share more about that in the months to come once I actually get it.
I even wrote a book about how gardening is in my toolbox for complete wellness. Then a few days back I read this article. It talks about how converting home spaces into a food garden has multiple benefits in COVID times. The health and psychological effect is immense. It also has economic and effects on productivity.
Careful plant selection is crucial.
Whats growing in your garden?Let me know in the comments below.