Organic food lovers favour home gardens

Organic food has become the new mantra for diet-conscious people. But organic food grown without using any chemical fertilisers cost more. Hence many diet-conscious people have adopted the ‘Growing Your Own’ concept. The concept, which involves growing vegetables and fruits at home, has gained popularity in urban areas. In the process, the available space in urban homes can be utilised for the purpose.

Residents of apartments are using the terrace for growing vegetables. Organic farming requires elements like quality soil, coco peat and cow dung, which are mixed in appropriate proportions. Later, seeds of vegetables or saplings are sown. They are regularly watered to ensure that the plants grow healthy.

Jeevamrutham is applied once in a while as an additional nutrient to the plants for their speedy growth. The essence of neem leaves and cow urine is also supplied to the plants for a better yield. The growth of plants is closely monitored to protect them from diseases and pest attacks.

Tomato, brinjal, ladies fingers, chillies, lettuce, capsicum, creepers like cucumber, bottle gourd, bitter gourd and pumpkin, potato, radish, carrot, onions and leafy vegetables can be grown in the home garden in small to large pots, plastic tubs and grow bags. Discarded plastic utensils can also be used to plant saplings. The rise in home gardening in urban areas has given birth to outlets that sell seeds, soil, supplements, nutrients, other essentials and gardening tools.

Many an enthusiastic grower have taken to social networking sites and blogs to get connected with people who share the interest, and share ideas, discuss problems and help one another in obtaining a better yield.

Speaking to the Vijayawada Hans, assistant director of horticulture SK Subhani said, “We would encourage anybody interested in organic farming or home gardening by providing vegetables seeds. There is a good response to home gardening as organic food can be produced with little effort. It is also cost-effective. Proper bedding of soil and post plantation care is vital to reap a good yield.”