From the Editor’s Desk

Hello friends…..

Welcome to another edition of our e-magazine.

For those who have been reading our magazine, they know our resolution.  For those still un-initiated, let me repeat.  We are trying to build a green, clean India. Each one of us who is connected here has been trying to make a change, in whatever small way. By planting and caring.  No matter if it is window sill. No matter if it is a small foliage.  But we have pledged to make a difference.

Winters are here and air pollution poses more serious threat than ever.  Threat to the planet, and the human race. Each day, we demolish thousands of trees in the name of modernisation. Each year, we erect hundreds of factories filling our air and rivers with poisonous material.  In the name of economic advancements. For the benefit of humans.

Imagine a scene, or may be a reality already.  Imagine an old man, walking on a vast stretch of tarred road, but not even a single tree under which he can take shelter from the scorching sun. He carries an oxygen cylinder in one hand and holding the hand of a toddler, in the other. 

Toddler asks him in an innocent voice “Dada, will I also carry this cylinder when I grow up, like you”. Not knowing he would have to carry the cylinder at much younger age, if the massacre, in the name of modernization, continues.

The massage is loud and clear.  Advancement for whom when there will be no humanity left worth that name.  Economy for what when we don’t have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and clean food to eat.

We need to ponder, ponder fast. And act faster.

OUR SOIL, OUR SOUL

5th December

WORLD SOIL DAY

Vandana Bhatnagar

Soil is the most important factor in ecology because it is necessary for the Plants. Plants depend on the soil to take nutrition for food production.

Soil is full of microorganisms, insects, reptiles, and many more animals in different forms. They all have a purpose to keep the ecosystem alive and soil fertile.

On the other hand, this system is very delicate and we need to protect it.It can be destroyed easily unknowingly by the excess use of fertilizers, insecticides pesticides, soil erosion etc. If the soil is healthy and full of life then the plants will not be caught by the diseases.

We celebrate World Soil Day on December 5each year to create awareness and to protect fragile ecosystem present in the soil and to use soil resource thoughtfully as it takes about 1000 years to form 1 cm of top soil, meaning that we won’t be able to produce more soil within our lifetime. What we see is all there is.

An international day to celebrate Soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness raising platform. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.

The date of 5 December was chosen because it corresponds with the official birthday of the late H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, who was one of the main proponents of this initiative.

How we can help protect and conserve the soil?

There are various ways and means by which we can try and protect our soil.  For example;

• Use of Vegetation cover like shrubs, trees, resistant grasses, cover crops and stubble to reduce wind erosion to some extent. It will also increase water absorption capacity and diminishing soil compaction. Soil also filters the water to maintain underground water free from pollutants.

• Reduce and use the fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides judiciously.

• Use dead leaves and kitchen peels etc to form your own compost.

• Add organic matter as compost in soil to increase the earthworm and microorganisms in soil.

• Focus on Reduce, reuse and recycle.

I have taken a pledge to save My Planet, its soil and Ecosystem.

Have you?

(Some facts included in this article are courtesy Internet)

DECEMBER GARDENING

Rama Tyagi

It’s December and we do expect temperatures to fall. We are expecting temperatures to be anywhere from 21 Deg C to 7 Deg C in December. We have many plants which are required to be protected from frost.

When cold weather hits, an overnight frost or extended freeze can damage susceptible plants. Even in mild-winter regions, frost can have damaging effects on cold-sensitive plants like citrus trees, bougainvillea, fuchsias, salvias and succulents. Luckily, many plants can be saved from harm when the temperature dips below the freezing point (Himachal, Uttarakhand and Kashmir) with a few simple precautions.

Cover Plants Before Nightfall

If a frosty night is forecast, cover tender plants like angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia spp.), bougainvillea, citrus, fuchsia, penstemon, salvia, succulents and tree ferns. Young plants and those that have been recently planted can be more vulnerable to frost damage than well-established ones.

To cover plants, place stakes around small to medium-size plants and drape green net/frost blankets over the stakes so that, ideally, the blanket covers but does not touch the plant. For larger plants like gardenia and tree ferns, drape coverings over the crown and wrap the trunk. Always remove the covering in the morning. Old bed sheets or lightweight blankets can be used as well and are preferable to plastic tarps.

Use a Cold Frame

To extend your potential for growing cold-tender plants — such as potatoes, lettuce, spinach and other edible greens — and get a jump-start on starting spring seedlings, consider investing in cold frames. These enclosed frames trap heat and moisture, creating a greenhouse environment for tender plants. You can make some with bamboo frames as well.

Protect sensitive plants with Plastic bottles or jugs which can be cut and used as an inexpensive — though less charming — alternative to cover tender plants in beds.

Spread Mulch

Mulching helps protect the shallow roots of tender shrubs and perennials from ground freeze by spreading a 3 to 4inch layer of wood chip or straw mulch/sirkis.

Shift Small Potted Plants Indoors

The easiest way to protect succulents and tender herbs from an overnight freeze is to bring them inside. If you have a sunny spot for them, keep them indoors through the cold weather. Otherwise, bring them back outside during the day.

Move Large Potted Plants Under Eaves

Cold wind can intensify the harmful effects of frost by removing moisture from foliage faster than the plant can take up water from the roots. To cut down on this damage, move large potted plants to sheltered areas, such as under the eaves, beneath the canopy of large trees or into the garage. Provide extra protection by wrapping the plants with frost blankets.

Water Well

It may seem counterintuitive to water a garden before a freeze, but providing frost-tender plants with a good drink in the daytime makes plants better able to withstand colder night temperatures. Water early in the day so that the plants have time to absorb moisture before the temperature drops. Avoid spraying the foliage, which can freeze if not given time to dry off.

Bougainvillea foliage shows frost damage.

Wait to Cut Back Frost-Damaged Plants

Although brown foliage and crispy stalks look unattractive, the damaged growth actually helps protect the lower parts of the plant from future freezes.

Put off pruning the plants that have been damaged until all risk of freezes has passed. If you cut back the plant too early and have more nights with frosty temperatures, the shock of pruning and freezing can kill the plant.

Mixture for seasonal flowers in winter

• Neem khali     5 kg
• Mustard cake   5kg
• DAP 2.50kg
• Bone meal  1.0 kg
• Zinc 1.0 kg
• Muriate of potash  1.0 kg
• Cow dung manure 10 kg

Mix all the components and use 2 teaspoons per 10-inch pot every 15 days.

Rest, there’s little work in the garden.

This is your last chance, in most cases, to plant bulbs — and the first part of the month is the best time. Plant daffodils, hyacinths, Louisiana irises, jonquils, cannas, gladiolus and dahlias.

You can plant strawberries too but you will get less yield.

Your herbs like oregano, thyme, lavender, lettuce, parsley etc.can still be planted.

Roses will be at their best.

Cannas will be going off and should be given good dressing of rich manure and well-watered towards the end of the month.

Chrysanthemums will also be at peak.

Flower beds and borders should be hoed and irrigated only as necessary

STAKING OF PLANTS

Shailja Mishra

Some plants need support to strengthen themselves in order to sustain rain, high wind or the weight of their own flowers or fruits. Staking is a process which facilitates plants to stand straight against all odds and also get better light and nutrition.

Often the most commonly used technique is to fasten a stake alongside the plantand fastening the plant with it.

Many plants need support either when they are young orthroughout their life span.Plants which need support are.

Flowering Perennials:Plants like Dahlia, Chrysanthemum, Zinnias, Sweet peas, Nasturtium and Lilies require sturdy support for their better growth.

House plants and Indoor Plants: House plants and some indoor plants like Pothos, Philodendron, Syngonium get benefitted fromstaking for their healthy growth and better life span.

Vegetable Plants: Some vegetable plants need assistance asthey can’t handle the weight of their harvest themselves. Tomatoes, Bell peppers, Cucumber, Zucchini, Peas are some of the examples. Tomatoes can be supported by using Tomato cage for better yield.

Saplings: In addition to Flowers and vegetables, young saplings do  require extra care and support, particularly, when are grown in windy or rainy conditions.

How to do Staking

There are many ways of staking depending upon the nature of plant and garden size.
Single or multiple Staking: Single or multiple staking is used to stake individual plants in small garden or pots. Most commonly used material for stakes are Bamboo, Wood, Plastic or Metal.

Tomato Cages:  Many plant species are supported by using tomato cages.

These are ideal for vegetable garden, specially Tomatoes.

Trellis: The plants which expand horizontally can be supported by using trellis or can be grown against fences.

Guidelines for Staking a Plant

Stake should be selected depending upon the nature and need of the plant. It is essential to match the right stake with right plant.
While staking, soft material  should be chosen for  fastening the plant  so that the plant  is not  damaged.

Need for Staking Plants

• Staking helps to increase the yield.
• Controls the damage to the crop and helps in maintaining the fruit quality.
• Improves the air circulation by raising the plants above the ground level thus helps in achieving disease free plant.
• Exposes greater plant surface to sunlight, which plants require, to generate energy for better growth and longer life span.
• Helps to utilize limited space and produce more crop in same space.
• Also helps for easier watering, application of fertilizers and making harvesting easier apart from the benefits mentioned above.
  
  The list is not exhaustive. You can explore various methods used for staking and get creative by choosing your own stake and style.
  
  

Happy Gardening

EDIBLE FLOWERS

Dr. Neha Panjiar

Edible flowers are back in vogue once again! These have been used in culinary arts for flavor and garnish for hundred of years by Romans, Greeks, French, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indian Cultures. Presently edible flowers are regaining popularity worldwide. Sophisticated garnish with edible flowers not only adds an extra panache to the dishes but also adds flavors to it. They also contain abundant phytochemicals, antioxidants and other bioactive compounds like polyphenols, anthocyanins carotenoids, flavonoids, with putative health effects, which have increasingly attracted attention globally. Few examples of edible flowers are Rose, Lavender, Hibiscus, Chamomile, Calendula, Nasturtiums, Violas, Pansy and many more. These floral infusions can be used in teas, lattes, and cocktails. They can also be added as garnish to your dish and salad bowls, to make as flower syrup, to decorate cakes, desserts (like ice-cream), cookies and focaccia garden breads.

Proper identification of edible flowers is essential as some of them are poisonous too. Till date no official listing of edible flowers has been done by National or International Bodies like FAO, WHO, FDA or EFSA. Accordingly, no legal requirements are there for edible flowers’ production and marketing. Adequate measures should be taken for their safe cultivation (chemical free), preservation and packaging.  Quality retention and extended shelf life is the utmost requirement in the supply chain process of producers to food processors and consumers.

Abbreviations:

WHO – World Health Organization

FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FDA – Food and Drug Administration

EFSA – European Food Safety Authority

Microgreens – An Urban Farmer’s Dream

Amit Amembal

India is home to 46.6 million stunted children. That is aboutone-third of world’s total population as per Global Nutrition Report 2018. Nearly half of all under-5 child mortality in India is attributable to under-nutrition. Any country cannot aim to attain economic and social development goals without addressing the issues of malnutrition. Uses of Pesticides impact health, cause endocrine disruptions in pregnant mothers and children, and on a larger scale, drain the economy of the nation, decreasing biodiversity of the soil, water and air. As an Urban Farmer, how does one mitigate these effects?

The solution is to grow your own food! Urban people face the biggest constraint of space in crowded homes in cities. The solution to this is going for micro gardening/ micro farming, which is nothing but growing on a microscale.

When I decided to write this short article about Microgreens, I mulled over the fact that most people actually know quite a bit about this form of plants already. Our Indian culture is so vast and diverse that we have always been growing microgreens since ages. The four M’s of greens, Methi, Moth, Moong and Mustard (Mohari) have always been commonly used in Indian cuisine in the form of microgreens. What people didn’t follow commonly was the use of microgreens vegetables, especially from the Brassicaceae family, viz. Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radish, Cress, Clover, Kohlrabi, Pak Choi, Broccoli, etc. Most of these vegetables if you notice are winter vegetables, not really native to India and were not available as freely as they are nowadays. Olden cookbooks in South and Western India name different vegetables from Cucurbitaceae family or Amaranthaceous or even Asteraceae or Fabaceae families.

The Brassicaceae family vegetables as mentioned above are particularly filled with special antioxidants that are supposed to fight deadly diseases like Cancer and build immunity. Not to undermine any other type of microgreens variety, Brassicaceae are actually quite famous for nutrition, because of the extensive work done in determining their nutritional content in detail.

(Refer this article more details…Microgreens of Brassicaceae: Mineral composition and content of 30 varieties, Zhenlei Xiao, Eton E. Codling, Yaguang Luo, Xiangwu Nou, Gene E. Lester, Qin Wang, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis49 (2016)87–93(https: // www.researchgate.net/ publication/ 301743025_Microgreens_of_Brassicaceae_Mineral_composition_and_content_of_30_varieties)

My experience with Microgreens, since several years of urban growing in small spaces and highly efficient and high yields, was a result of several experiments that I did myself to checkout to see if this form of growing really works or not. Questions shot at me viz., how can only 0.75 inch of soil layer make seeds grow? How come you are able to get yields almost 10-15 times the original weight of the seeds? How are you able to grow without any mold or fungus issues? How are you able to save so much energy to grow these pesticide free greens? And most of all how can you make them so affordable and sustainable on a continuous basis, without the constraint of seasons, anytime!? Well, actually these are the very advantages of Microgreens that can be realized and accrued!

The purpose of my article is not to explain how to grow Microgreens, because that is a really vast subject and I conduct small workshops to help people get on-board. The main purpose of this article is to make people aware that lack of space is never a constraint for farming, lack of technologies is also never an impediment for making out your hobby,that too a nutrition fulfilling one!

Microgreen means micro + green, literally, which means the seedling version of a plant. Also known as micro leaves, petite greens, or vegetable confetti.  In Chinese, it’s called 菜苗 (cài miáo). The word of microgreens was initially separated named “micro greens” or “micro-greens”, which have eventually got into “microgreens”.

Microgreens are different from sprouts and also different from baby plants. They are actually at a stage in between baby plants and sprouts of seeds.

For example, if you sprout broccoli seeds, they would first grow into sprouts, followed by microgreens, baby greens, mature broccoli heads and finally flower and fruit to give seeds again. Being urban dwellers, we grow microgreens of vegetables up to the microgreens stage and harvest them. Seeds need that typical black out period, watering cycles and growing cycles that make them thrive into healthy microgreen plants.

Of course, the question arises where do we get the seeds from? India is an agrarian country and seeds are constantly being farmed by our hard-working farmers, in uncountable numbers and even exported to other countries. Why can’t we use them here itself in India, to feed ourselves, to feed the nation? Yes, it is possible and we can surely do this to sustain our economy and gain nutritional independence, by going local.

Do you want to grow these colorful Red Cabbage Microgreens at home? Of course, most people will answer in the affirmative! It is human nature to make oneselfautonomous, and technologies like microgreens will help take it forward for urban dwellers in a big way, if we start somewhere in our own flats, own bungalows or even our own rooms!

Yummy salads, sandwiches, parathas, soups, smoothies, drinks, daals, pizzas, pasta, almost anything, even desserts and sev puri and bhelpuri can use microgreens to give that extra power packed punch to dishes in terms of taste and nutrition.

I always like to quote the Pavamana Mantra from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28) when I speak or even grow microgreens:

असतोमासद्गमय।Asatō mā sadgamaya
तमसोमाज्योतिर्गमय। tamasō mā jyōtirgamaya
मृत्योर्माअमृतंगमय। mr̥tyōrmā amr̥taṁ gamaya
ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः॥ Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

Translation:

From untruth lead us to Truth.
From darkness lead us to Light.
From death lead us to Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

Microgreens are just like that…We grow seeds that germinate in the dark and bring them into the light; our birth also follows the same pattern of darkness of mother’s womb and growth into the light. Our nutrition and sustenance by Mother Nature is nothing but mimicry of Her Divine Grace….

(The author can be contacted at +919137061457 or amitamembal@gmail.com for further questions on this topic.)

STRAWBERRY PLANTATION

Ramvilas Singh

What is Strawberry?

Strawberries are Red coloured Sweet Berry like Fruits liked by everyone around us. Many people assume that the common name “strawberry” stems from the fact the plant is most often mulched with straw during the winters. Although the exact origin of its common name is uncertain, the name strawberry probably is a corrupt form of “strewn berry”. The latter was an early designation for the plant which made reference to the fact that, as a strawberry plant produced runners and spread, its berries were strewn about the ground.

When to Plant Strawberries?

The best Time for Strawberry Planation is from September mid to October End.Between these days, the Temperature is most suitable for the Propagation of Strawberries.

Conditions required for Strawberries to grow?

Temperature below 30°C is required for proper growth of Strawberries.It requires much Less watering as compared to other Plants of the same season.Well-drained soil helps them to grow well, by quickly draining out all the water. Strawberries do not want stagnant water in the soil as the water might decompose its fruit and the leaves.
The Plants Should get at least 5 to 7hrs of Sunlight in a day. Slightly acidic soil is required with a
pH of 5 to 6.

Soil Composition.

Soil composition is considered the backbone of the strawberry plantation.  As mentioned above, the soil should be well-drained, so the best composition for strawberry plantation can be obtained as below:

(a)Take 4 Parts of Garden Soil.

(b)1 Part of Vermi Compost(At Least a Year Old)

(c)1 Part of Leaf Compost.

(d)1 Part of Rice husk or Cocopeat.

(e)1/4 Part of Stone Dust (For Calcium).

(f)1/5 Part of Neem Khali.

Mix the Composition properly and fill in the Pots, where you’ll plant the strawberry saplings.

Precautions while Planting Strawberries

• The Crown of the saplings must be kept Above the soil, as shown in the diagram.
• When Planting on Land, keep at Least 18 Inches of distance Between 2 Plants thus giving enough space for Plants to be Bushy.
• Plantation should always be done in the Evening Time.
• Give Less amount of Water just after the Plantation; don’t do deep Irrigation.
• Mulching of Rice Husk, Plastic Sheet can be used to prevent moisture from decomposing the Fruits of Strawberry Plants.

Fertiliser to be used for Strawberries
After the Planation, Strawberries need Liquid fertiliser for proper growth.
Liquid Fertiliser can be made using Liquid extract from Decomposed Leaves of various plants like Banana, Neem and various kinds of Trees.

Other options can be by Extracting Liquid from decomposing Vermi Compost, GobarKhad, or Mustard Cakes.

Fruiting / Harvesting

Fruiting in strawberry plants begin within 45-50 days after successful plantation of the sapling. Strawberries, if cared properly, can give up to 20 to 30 fruits per plant within a period of a month.

Harvest only the Dark Red Fruits.

Caring

Strawberry Plants being sweet and Vivid attracts many Diseases and Insects which can destroy your Strawberry Planation.Most Common Insects are:

Spider Mites: Spray of Alcohol and water in the Ratio of 2:3, repeatedly whenever Mites are observed.

Aphides: Spray of Wood Ash directly onto the visible Insects, or Spray of Ameda Chloropid can be used. 

Strawberries are used in many cosmetics like soaps,powder,lip balms,shampoos,creams and perfumes.Strawberry jam is most loved.Also used as flavouring in many recipes and food products like ice-creams and milkshake.

PROTECTION FROM FROST

Sugandha Singhania

Frost is a weather phenomenon where a thin layer of ice crystals form on various surfaces of the plant especially during the winter nights when the temperature goes down. It can affect various kinds of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants by converting the water present in them into ice crystals and thereby disturbing the flow of fluids.  It can damage the plant as a whole which results in its death or in part thereby decreasing its yield and quality. Wrinkled leaves, water-soaked leaves or brown or black leaves are some of the indicators of damage caused by frost. Examples of plants that are affected by frost and not affected are as following:

Affected Plants: Bougainvillea, begonia, succulents, tomatoes, eggplants, cucumber, peppers, caladium, dahlia etc.

Plants not affected: Cabbage, calendula, carrots, peas, radish, tulips, narcissus, pansy, spinach etc.

Measure to protect from Frost

The most common way is to bring them inside at night and shift them again in daytime when it’s warm outside. Potted plants suffer more as compared to ones in the soil but one needs to make sure that there is not extreme change in the temperature as the plant may get a shock. The biggest disadvantage of this method is that it is not feasible for someone who has many potted plants.

Mulching is another way to protect plants from the frost. Spreading a sheet of things like leaf mold, paper, compost, straw etc. can protect the plants from frost damage. Its advantages include reduction in the rate of evaporation, protection of soil from frequent changes in temperature and increasing soil fertility. However, over mulching may result in suffocation and plant death.

Covering with half cut plastic transparent bottles, buckets etc can also help. One can use waste bottles etc. available at home to protect your plants from frost. They are cheap and can be reused in next season but this method is feasible for small to moderate height plants. It needs to be removed the next morning so that the water droplets formed don’t fall on leaves or other parts of the plants and damage them.

Placing the plants in greenhouse is another way. Green house can be beneficial for keeping the plants safe from frost but it should not be heated.

Covering with plastic sheets, bed sheets, old curtains etc. also helps in protecting the plants from frost. One has to use stakes so that the sheet especially the plastic one doesn’t touch the plants and damage them. Use some weights on edges so that if there is wind, the cover doesn’t get blown away. Remove the cover the next morning.

Watering before the frost time can also help. The wet soil releases the moisture and thus raises the temperature and thereby maintains warmness around the plant.

If the plant gets damaged by frost, then do not hurry to prune that part because it helps to protect the part below it, wait till the weather becomes better. Most of the plants recover from the healthy parts in the spring season.

HAPPY GARDENING!!

DISEASES IN GREENS DURING WINTER

Rama Tyagi

Many of foliar diseases are observed in winter greens.They include downy mildews(spinach,brassicas and lettuce) and powdery mildews (brassicas and lettuce). All are capable of rendering a crop inconsumable. Their occurrence is usually seen in late fall and winter. Conditions are very favourable for these pathogens that tolerate cool temperatures. Prolonged periods of leaf wetness or high humidity are likely factors.

Low light and short days mean they have longer periods to produce spores.

Management

• Selection of resistant varieties.

• Drip irrigation or overhead irrigate when leaves are dry. Make sure they have sufficient time to dry.

Foliar diseases are difficult to control with fungicide in leafy vegetables because of low tolerance of diseased tissue especially when symptoms are seen. Fungicides do not have capabilities to control or cure diseased tissue. Thorough coverage is particularly important with organic fungicides as most have contact activity and cannot move through leaves as conventional fungicides can.Destroy diseased leaf tissue promptly after the crop is finished.

Spinach:There can be long delay between infection and symptoms when conditions are unfavourable but explode overnight when conditions become favourable.

Symptoms: Purplish grey, fuzzy growth on the underside of leaves. Check early morning for the growth as afterwards spores are dispersed. On top leaf, yellowing is seen.

To control, cover the plant with polythene.Spores bursting takes place in the night;take out the cover in the morning and destroy the spores.

Late blight: Tomato,potato,fruits.

Root knot:Seedlings.

Early blight (Alternaria): Tomato.

Bacterial wilt: Tomato, potato, brinjal, and bell pepper.

Leaf curl virus:Papaya, chilli, tomatoes.

Fusarium:Tomatoes, legumes,cucurbits,sweet potatoes.

Anthracnose: chillies, tomatoes, peppers etc.

Mosaic:Transmitted by aphids.

Downy mildew: Cucumber,melon,and squash,onion,garlic.

Alternaria leaf spot: Cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli.

Black Rot: Brassicas, crucifer, mustard&radish.

Pea powdery mildew: Peas and legumes.

Management

• Rotate the crops.
• Check the plants every week.
• Treat the seeds with hot water or bleach the soil before planting.
• Soil can be treated with Trichoderma mixed in gobar or by green manuring.
• Soil can be treated with bleach and sprayed with suhaga.
• Use of sticky traps like yellow, blue and white are highly recommended to identify the pests.

Planting of barrier crops also helps to reduce infestation like maize, bhindi, Onion and garlic, rye, radish help to protect the main crop from pests.

Lastly grow your seeds in a protected environment rather than straight away on field/ground.

Grow your seeds before or later to avoid infestation.

ART CORNER

Paintings by Dr Goel

Start Composting –Part 4

Vandna Bhatnagar

Welcome back!

Hope now you are geared up with all the preparations required for composting. During winter, composting process is slow.

Tools which are required while composting are pitchforks, square-point shovels or machetes, and water hoses with a spray head. Regular mixing or turning of the compost and some water will help maintain the compost. A gardener already has all these tools.

Backyard Composting

• Select a dry, shady spot for your compost pile or bin.
• Add brown and green materials as they are collected, chop off or shred larger pieces beforeadding in the compost. It will hasten the process of decomposing.
• Moisten dry materials if too dry.
• Mix grass clippings and green waste into the pile.
• Fruit and vegetable waste should be buried at least under 10 inches of compost material.
• Cover top of compost with a jute bag or any thick cotton cloth to trap moisture.
• When the material at the bottom is dark and rich in color, your compost is ready to use.

This usually takes anywhere between two months to two years.

TIP- Occasionally you can add sour curd or buttermilk or waste decomposer to hasten the process.

Indoor Composting

• Begin collecting kitchen waste.
• Instruct everyone in the house to add suitable material in the container kept in the kitchen.
• When the container gets full, empty them into the larger compost bin kept in your kitchen.
• Layer the waste with an inch or two of the garden materials like dry leaves, sand or soil to keep   odour away.
• Check thecompost pile every few days, adding water when necessary.
• Each time you add kitchen waste, add a layer of plant material and soil and wet the pile.
• Keep adding after every few days until the compost bin is filled up.
• Stir and turn the mixture every week or so to expose the inside of the pile to fresh air.

TIP- Occasionally you can add sour curd or buttermilk or waste decomposer to hasten the process.

While composting, you will face some problems which may cause you to re-think about composting but don’t worry; you will overcome all these problems as we are going to discuss all these unwanted things happening in our compost bin in coming issue. So, stay connected with the pledge to have Green Earth. rayed

Chrysanthemum – Queen of Flowers

Sugandh Bhatnagar

Chrysanthemums is grown as annual plant for the flowers but it is a perennial plant. It’s spectacularshow can be enjoyed from late August till January.

Chrysanthemums require a well-drained soil whether in pots or on ground and exposure to the sun but short days and long dark hours. Watering is often done, preferably in the early morning but in moderation.

It requires regular monthly fertilization if planted in pot. But if it is planted in the garden, it does not require additional fertilization.

It is preferred for pot flowers; this gives beautiful effect when grouped.

It is also a good choice for garlands and stylish arrangements like as centre piece, wreath etc.

Apart from aesthetics value, it is natural body tonic and immunity booster.

KEEPING THE ROUTINE HELPS

DEEPTI JAIN

While the whole world is still suffering from the impact of the deadly Coronavirus, the best one can do is to maintain the strictest code of hygiene and get their annual flu shots. Besides, there exist some fruits that can help improve health and boost immunity naturally

Apple

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is more than just a saying since it helps to fight illness and boosts the immune system. Apples provide substantial protection for the lungs because they are loaded with high levels of antioxidant flavonoids called Quercetin and Khellin which help open up blocked air passages, protecting the lungs from harmful atmospheric effects.  Apples are also great fatigue busters. So have an apple a day to help have a safe and energetic day.

Banana

 Bananas are not only a probiotic food but also support gut health since they are high in vitamin B6. This vitamin assists in the smooth functioning of the immune system and relaxes the muscles of the lungs. The potassium content in the bananas helps to drive away the shortness of breath. Besides, the high content of magnesium acts as a sleeping pill. So have a banana for a sound sleep.

Pineapple

Pineapples have been part of traditional medicines for centuries. They contain a variety of vitamins like vitamin C and enzymes like Bromelain which helps boost immunity and reduces inflammation of nasal cavity and get rid of excessive mucus from the system, thus helping combat regular colds, cough and even bronchitis. They clean out the lungs and detoxify them naturally. So have a pineapple to breathe better.

Variety is the key to proper nutrition and eating right is a great start. To fight infections, eating just one fruit is not enough, we need to intake a variety of nutritional foods. One should make a conscious effort to eat better to initiate a healthier and calmer body.

SUPER FOODS

DEEPTI JAIN

Superfoods are considered superior to other food items when compared in their nutritional value. They supply abundant nutrition in form of vitamins, minerals and proteins. Superfoods are termed superior because of special qualities and benefit they provide. It could be in the form relief from an ailment or disease, boosts immunity, reduces blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol. Most of us, in our early days, were told to have a handful of soaked almonds and other dry fruits to improve our memory. But we would perhaps shudder or else just ate under compulsion, little did we know that these were the best things to add to our daily diet.  But these superfoods, are believed to have unique properties like that they prevent ageing, sharpen intellect and much more.

ALMONDS

Whether in the form of a sumptuous ice cream topping or having a glass of almond milk, this nut is a source of major satisfaction to your taste buds. It increases the levels of vitamin E in our bloodstream, which increases the formation of antioxidants that prevents our cells from developing cholesterol and even protects our eyes and prevents abnormal changes to our lens.

RAISINS

Consuming a few raisins every day is good for our stomach.  This dry fruit has fibres which swells in the presence of water, which gives a laxative effect to the stomach and help in relieving constipation. An antioxidant named catechin present in raisins helps in protecting the body against the free radical activity that may cause tumours and colon cancer.

CASHEW NUTS

A healthy amount of cashew nuts in our diet provides many health benefits. The consumption of this superfood as well as the application of cashew nut oil on our scalp ensures healthy growth of hair. Presence of copper in cashew nut oil helps in the production of skin pigment called melanin. As long as we eat them in moderation, these nuts make up for a tasty addition to our diet. So go and munch on these tasty superfoods

THE MINIATURE GARDEN

Rama Tyagi

The seasons changing can only mean another miniature garden and now you can make one for the indoors! Moreover plenty of succulents are available to us at this time and we become eager to make mini gardens. Let’s recap what you need to know, and then follow with a few examples of the different indoor miniature gardens.

1. Don’t drown them. Roots need air as well as water. Let the soil dry out until barely damp. Put your finger down into the soil about 1” deep to test and yes, your finger is still the best way.

2. Give them a rest. Plants need less water and feeding in the winter. Some plants may not look as good, or need cutting back, before the new growth signals their return. Be patient and follow the plant’s signals.

3. Accept the loss of “temporary” plants. Some plants are not meant to live more than a season or two. Some miniature gardeners treat outdoor plants as short-lived houseplants during the winter.

4. Give them extra humidity. The average house plant needs more humidity in the winter as the forced-air heat dries out the air quite quickly. By misting or grouping your houseplants around your miniature garden, you can maintain a better level of moisture in the air around the plants.

5. Add light. There are all kinds of plant-friendly light bulbs that can fit regular lamps, find them at your local hardware store or online. Instead of trying to position the miniature garden in the window, now you can put it anywhere as long as you have a lamp on it. Use a timer to turn it off and on for at least six hours a day, 8 to 12 is ideal. Shop lights come in a variety of sizes as well and many are available as a plug-in (as opposed to hard-wired.)

5a. Direct Sunlight. Some indoor plants enjoy a dose of direct sun but do so if you know for sure that the plant will enjoy it. Otherwise, use a sheer curtain to diffuse the direct sunlight to make it safe for all your plants. ALSO, watch that sunlight beaming into your windows in the spring and the fall. As the sun moves higher in the sky in springtime, and lower in the sky in the fall, the direction of the sunbeams will change inside your house too. All of a sudden you’ll may a sunbeam beating down on your miniature garden that wasn’t there a couple of weeks ago. This is where that sheer curtain comes in handy again.

6. Treat trouble promptly. With Google at our fingertips, there is really no reason not to be able to identify a plant-problem quickly and easily. State the problem plainly; name the plant and search under Google Images to find it faster. For example, “brown spots on parlor palm leaves.” Search at least two or three sites to get a better perspective of the solution. Not everyone is an expert out on the Internet, most often the most simple and natural solution is best.

7. Know when to re-pot. When the plants start to look sickly after a couple of years, then it may be time to re-pot. Look for the roots growing out of the bottom drainage holes to know when.

8. Choose wisely. Right plant, right place. You can’t grow a sun-loving plant in a dark corner nor can you grow a shade-loving plant in front of a sunny, southern window.

Recommended Tools:

Water can with a long, narrow spout to get the water through to the bottom of the plants. Get used to how it pours before using indoors or you’ll make a big mess the first time.

Mister – but know which plants like more, which like less.

Saucers AND protective pads with plastic on one side, felt on the other. Don’t trust any pot or saucer on your good wood surfaces. Use an extra moisture-barrier-pad recommended for plants with a plastic backing to avoid wicking.

Organic fertilizer. Avoid chemical fertilizers of any kind, the plants just don’t care for it and it builds up in the soil.

Soft sponge for cleanup.

Old kitchen spoon for repotting and fork for raking.

Scissors or small garden shears – or both.

Indoor Potting Soil – Use potting soil without any extra fertilizers or moisture-retaining polymers. Look for an organic, indoor potting mix for a general-purpose soil that will be okay for most of your houseplants. Succulents, cacti and African Violets need more drainage material, like vermiculite or Perlite.

Recommended plants

• Dwarf plants like dwarf Palms
• Jade
• Buxus or box wood
• Baby’s tears
• Cypress
• Mondo  grass
• Sedums
• Variegated Fairy Vine – Angel Vine – Muehlenbeckia complexa ‘Tricolor’
• Mints
• Dracena
• Aralia
• TINY Ellwood’s Cypress – Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Ellwoodii’
• Asparagus
• Ferns
• Thymus
• Delosperma cooperi
• Brahmi
• Cuphea
• Voila

Rest is upto You how to use .