FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Hello friends….

We have heard this term so many times. The Carbon Footprints.

A Carbon Footprint is the Total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission (that includes Carbon-containing gases Carbon Dioxide, Methane etc) caused by an individual, an event, organisation, service, place, product etc. For example, travelling by an aero-plane leaves its carbon foot print in the form of GHG emission.

These gases can be emitted through various means, like burning of fossil fuels (coal, wood, petrol, diesel etc), land clearance, production and consumption of food, manufacturing goods, materials, wood, roads, buildings etc.

These GHG tend to increase the earth’s temperature, which ultimately culminate into climate changes, extreme precipitation, acidification, warming of oceans etc.

So, who is responsible for producing these carbon footprints?

Each one of us. In other words, each one of us is responsible for producing GHG, and hence changes in climate.

Next question is “what we can do about it?”

Well. Few simple things can retard further damage. And growing our own food at the backyard or balcony is one of the ways.

Now imagine you want to cook an exotic vegetable which is grown in far hills, 100 Kms from you. Now calculate the carbon footprints, right from getting the seeds to hills by road, growing, pumping water up for irrigation, importing labour, feeding manure produced hundreds of kilometers away, harvesting the product, getting to your local stores, and finally you picking up car to purchase it and then cook….(I am feeling breathless..). Imagine what amount of GHG we contribute to!

That is why we always have told people to grow your own vegetable garden. And always go for local vegetables, local resources; so we can help reduce further climate change.

It is just a matter of choosing a better lifestyle. Because we care for our mother earth.

Jai Hind.

WORKS OF THE MONTH

GARDENING IN MARCH

India is such a country which experiences all four seasons and hence, we are lucky to be able to grow different varieties of flowers according to different seasons. Relaxing in your own garden of summer flowers gives you the much required pleasantness amidst high temperature. March to April is a good time for sowing seeds for summer flowers, bulbs and vegetables.

Top Summer Flower Plants

They are of low maintenance and can be easily grown in your balconies/Terrace or ground.

• Marigold, Portulacas, Hibiscus, Sunflower
• zinnia, Aparajita, Mogra, Pentas, Petunia, Morning Glory, Roses
• Kochia, Gomphrena, Titonia, Rudbeckia, Coreopsis, Mirbilis Jalapa

Potting

• All these plants are hardy and drought resistant.
• Don’t require any extra fertilizer.
• Sow seeds in sand or vermiculite.
• All these plants grow well in Sun.
• Over watering will result in fungal rot so water carefully
• Mostly they have attack of aphids, powdery mildew and aster yellow rot.

Top Summer Bulbs

1. Caladium
2. Scadoxus(football lily)
3. Tuberose
4. Lycoris Lily
5. Gloriosa lily
6.  Costus (ginger lily )
7. Canna

SOIL MIX: Mix 3 parts soil +2 parts sand +2 parts compost +2 leaf mold + 1part mix of neem cake & bone-meal

PLANTING: Place 1 bulb in 6 inch pot with nose side up. Cover it with soil lightly. Water sparingly and do not water in between till you see the new growth.

Top Summer Vegetables

All summer vegetables like Lady finger, Cucumber, bitter gourd, melon, musk melon, gourds, jimikand, spine gourds, drumsticks, cowpeas, brinjals, chaulai, coriander and radish (summer variety) can be sown.

• Soak seeds overnight.
• Make a potting mix comprising soil ,compost ,neemkhali and plant 2 to 3 seeds in 18 inches to 20 inches pot. Cover the seeds lightly.
• Seeds will take a week to germinate .

Points to remember

• Buy seeds from a reputable agency.
• Treat seeds with fungicide before sowing.
• Do crop rotation
• Adopt an organic way.
• Use organic pesticides and fertilizers.

LIFE MANTRA should be “Eat what you grow and Grow what you eat”.

HAPPY GARDENING!!

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

ADENIUM REPOTTING AND PRUNNING

Spring season is the best time to re-pot and prune Adeniums as they come out from their winter dormancy. This will allow them straight 8-9 growing months i.e. till next winter. Preparation can be started when day and night temperature range around 10-25 °C. It is not necessary to repot and prune all your Adeniums every year but plants which are already outgrowing in existing pots and need some trimming to look beautiful, should be considered. Fresh soil and bigger pots will help them to grow fast.

REPOTTING:  

STEP1. Uprooting: Uproot Adeniums carefully without damaging any branch or roots. Just give a gentle shower to root bound plants and let the soil completely wet, plants will easily come out from pot.

STEP2. Root Reduction:

• Clean all the soil from roots with water and remove any rotten/damaged roots with the help of sterilized tool.
• Remove unnecessary tangled roots so that existing roots have sufficient space to grow more thick and big in new pot.
• Apply systemic fungicide on fresh wounds and keep plant in well ventilated bright light spot until fresh wounds callous over. Never, repot adenium with fresh wounds on it; plant will be on risk of catching rot issues/ fungus.  When all wounds callous over, plant is ready for repot.

STEP3. Pot Selection:

• Always use bigger pots i.e. double or triple size of caudex. Complete root ball should have sufficient space in pot to grow more long and thick roots.
• Adenium roots love heat, hence plastic pot is a good option for Adenium.
• Make sure pots have lots of drainage holes at bottom. Ceramic pots are also good but mostly ceramic pots comes with 1-2 drainage holes which don’t allow proper drainage and aeration.
• There is no thumb rule in pot selection, use your imagination and select pot which complement your plant. Artistic roots needs artistic pots, it’s totally upto grower how they want to stage their plants.

TIP: During initial 2-3 years age plant use deeper pots, deeper pots allows plants to develop good root base and caudex, after that use shallow pots.

STEP4. Potting and Settling:

• Repot plant in well draining Adenium Soil. It is good to prepare soil mix 3-4 months in advance.
• After repotting, keep your plants in shade and start misting water twice a day (don’t water in soil, wetting upper layer of soil is sufficient).
• Once you notice green leaf on tip of branches, start increasing water and sun for the plant.
• When branches having 3-4 pair of leaves, water them thoroughly and shift them to direct sun, start to treat them as regular potted adenium plant.   

PRUNING: If your plant losing its canopy or having leggy branches or got infection on branches or branch tip is dead and not growing then pruning is best option to deal with such situations.

• When to prune Adenium?
• One can prune adenium anytime during growing season. However, spring is best time for pruning as by the time of rainy season, u will again have opportunity to do another round of pruning.
• Plant will shoot new branches only when it will have favorable weather. So it’s good to prune plant during growing season as our main purpose of pruning is to trigger more branches in plant. Plant pruned in growing season will start giving new branches within 7-15 days. If we prune plant during dormancy, it will not give you new branches as plant already in dormant condition.
• Pruning plant during dormancy or bareroot condition will give it a negative shock and unsettled plant will not fight back and will probably die back or have rot issues, infection etc. Hence, once you repot plant and it gets settle (emerging new leaves), you can prune branches.
• How to Prune:
• Take sterilized sharp blade, cutter, knife or any other tool which can give you a sharp cut on branches.
• Prune branches at about a 45-degree angle, avoid flat 90 degree. Cutting at 45 degree looks more natural and gives more surface area for new shoots.
• Make sure the cut is made about half an inch above the leaf node where you expect the new upper most branch to grow from.
• Once branch is pruned, apply dry systemic fungicide on it and keep plant aside. Try to use these cut branches for rooting or grafting or gift to someone needy.
• Post Pruning Precautions:
• Save fresh cut/ wound from water. Never keep pruned and freshly potted plant under direct rain.
• Do not water in soil if you have pruned almost all branches of plant or removed good amount of leaves as plant will not able to use/evaporate that water.
• Move plant in bit shaded location as sudden exposure of caudex to direct sun, can create burn marks on caudex.
• If you have pruned infected branches from plant then discard those branches from garden and dispose them properly.

HAPPY GARDENING!!

Brijesh Kumar

meena.brijeshkumar@yahoo.com

GARDENING TIPS FOR INDOOR PLANTS

(Compiled from Internet)

• Avoid over-watering the plants: Indoor plants require less water in comparison to outdoor plants. Over watering is one of the major reasons of their death. Always check the soil before watering your indoor plants.

• Plan while choosing the plant:  Choose the plant according to the requirements. For eg. Keeping a sun loving plant indoor won’t be wise decision.

• Change the soil media:  Refresh the soil every 2 years by adding organic materials like new compost, manure, vermiculite etc.

• Turning and scraping the soil:  It will help in providing oxygen to the roots and thereby promote the plant to grow well.

• Regular Fertilization: Like human need food to survive so does a plant. Feed your plants with good fertilizer fortnightly or monthly depending upon the requirement of your plant during their growing and blooming time.

• Don’t feed during dormancy: It is of no use to fertilize your plant during its dormancy rather it will be harmful as the plant won’t utilize it to grow.

• Provide Humidity: Humid condition is ideal for indoor plants. One can place plants closely to maintain humidity. Placing pebbles in saucer filled with water will also help. Humidifier can also be used to enhance the humidity levels.

• Keep a track of Air circulation: All plants need air circulation to grow well. Keep the plants near to some window or door so that they get fresh air every day.

• Show them sun: No plant can survive without sunlight be it direct or indirect as they require sunlight to make their food through the process of photosynthesis. Most of the indoor plants require indirect sunlight so its best to place them near west facing wind or 2-3 feet near south facing window. Also keep rotating your plants so that each plant gets ample sunlight.
• Clean plants regularly: Accumulation of dust on leaves don’t allow the plant to soak sunlight properly and hampers the process of photosynthesis. Use damp cloth fortnightly or monthly to clean the leaves of your plants.
• Choose right container: Don’t choose a very big container. Choose according to the size of root ball. As the plant keeps growing, repotting it in bigger pots is advised.
• Regular pruning: Chop off the old, dead leaves to promote the new growth. It will also help to maintain the plant in good shape.
• Keep track of pests: Plants can be easily infested by pest so keep a close eye on them. The best way to check is by looking at undersides of leaves, buds and stems. Use soap solution or neem oil solution at regular intervals to protect the plants from pest attack.

HAPPY GARDENING!!

Sugandha Singhania

sugandhacpsinghania@gamil.com

GROW LIGHTS – A Boon for Growing plants in dark area

Sometimes we have dark area in house but to bring that place to life, it is necessary to grow plants in that area. The quantity, quality and duration of light regulate the plant growth and development. If a plant does not get enough light, it will become stunted or may have reduced pigmentation or begin to elongate. An easy way to combat this problem is the use of GROW LIGHTS.

Grow lights are used to provide a light spectrum similar to that of the sun or to provide a spectrum that is suitable to the needs of the plants being cultivated. Warm red spectrum is recommended for flowering and cool blue spectrum is recommended for vegetative growth.

Types of Grow Lights

1. Fluorescent Tubes
2. They are inexpensive, easy to use and readily available in a variety of sizes and shapes and hence they are first choice for many home gardeners.
3.  Fluorescent lights which provide light primarily on the blue end of the spectrum are cool to the touch, so they are safe to use above tender seedlings.
4.  Compact fluorescent lights are great for small-space gardening.
5.  One can use newer full-spectrum fluorescent grow lights because they provide light on the both ends of the spectrum and are very close to natural daylight. 
6. LED Grow Lights
7. This new technology offers many benefits to indoor growers and greenhouse owners because they are compact, low-heat, lightweight and easy to mount.
8. LED lights may appear dim to human eyes because the bulbs don’t provide a lot of yellow-green light, but they offer plenty of red and blue light that maximizes plant growth.
9. Incandescent Lights
10. Old-fashioned incandescent lights are hot and can’t be placed too close to tender plants.
11. However, some gardeners use incandescent lights, which provide light only on the red end of the spectrum to supplement standard fluorescent tubes that provide mostly blue light.

However, most indoor growers are opting for newer technology LED or fluorescent lights as they are easier to use and more energy efficient.

Other types of indoor lights include metal halide lights or high pressure sodium lights. 

Selecting grow lights for plants requires careful consideration as plants have very different lighting requirements. For example, plants such as dracaena or ferns require lower light while African violets and similar plants thrive in low to moderate light. In general, succulents, most herbs and many types of orchids need more intense light. Seedlings require a lot of bright light to prevent them from becoming leggy. Keep in mind that nearly all plants need at least six hours of darkness.

HAPPY GARDENING!!

Vandna Bhatnagar

nonofficial66@gmail.com

Tales of Trees in Indian Culture

TREE NO. 6 – PALASH

Hindi name          Palash, Dhak, Palas

Latin name          Butea monosperma, Butea frondosa

Sanskrit name     Kimsuka

Kannada               Muttagamara, Muttulu

Malayalam          Pilacham, Palashin

Tamil                     Palashmaram, Chamata, Parasa

Telugu                   Modugai, Paladu, Chettu

Family:  Leguminosae

The vivid orange Palash flowers that grow ubiquitously in numerous geographical terrains of India are indeed a beautiful floral wonder, being aptly titled “Flame of the Forest”. However, this small deciduous tree, scientifically called Butea Monosperma and native to India, South-East Asian countries of Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, is much more than just a pretty sight to behold, being a valuable creation of Mother Nature.  It grows in flooded areas, saline and alkaline soil, black cotton soil, and barren lands too.

ORIGIN:

• The name Butea monosperma was named in honour of John Stuart, The Earl of Bute. Monosperma means one seeded and frondosa means leafy.
• The Sanskrit word Kimsuka means “like a parrot” or “what brightness” Palasha also means both leaf and beauty. Its older name of the tree, parna also means leaf.
• Palash has been frequently mentioned in Vedas, its trifoliate leaves represent Tridev: Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
• Palash has been mentioned in the ancient Ayurvedic manuscripts authored by Sushruta, Charaka as a rather powerful and important herb with medicinal, as well as religious and spiritual significance.

BIRTH of PALASH (MYTHOLOGICAL REFERENCE):

• One day Indra felt a great thirst, so Goddess Gayatri was asked to go to mountain Mujavant , where Soma creeper grew and bring it back to Indra so that Indra Dev could have uninterrupted supply of Soma forever .
• Gayatri took the form of an eagle and flew to the mountain .The mountain was guarded by the guards of moon .She swooped down and secured the creeper in her beak before the guards could do anything. With her plant secured, she flew away.
• However, one of the sentries, Krishanu, shot an arrow at the bird .The arrow missed the bird but struck the vine in her beak, causing one of the leaves to fall .This leaf fell to earth and grew into Palash tree.

TREE’S DESCRIPTION:

• Palash Tree is a small sized, dry season deciduous tree growing to 15 m tall with crooked trunk and branches.
• It is a slow growing tree.
• The bark is tough and greyish.
• The branches are velvety and dark olive  green in colour
• The large trifoliate leaves are stiff, velvety in the beginning and leathery later turning pale bronze green in colour.
• Flowers come on bare branches.The flowers are 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long, bright orange-red, and produced in racemes up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long.
• The fruit is a pod 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in) long and 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) broad.

MYTHOLOGICAL AND RELIGIOUS REFERENCE:

• The ancient Ayurvedic texts refer to Palash by various Sanskrit names of Vakrapushpa, Brahma Vriksha, Raktapushpa, Yagnika, Samidha.
• In ancient times, when the students offered fruits to their Gurus or teachers to seek their blessings, they also placed Palash twigs as it was considered as an auspicious sign.
• In Hindu festivals, when praying to the Almighty, Palash flowers are used in the pooja ceremonies as a holy offering to invoke the blessings of God for good health, fortune and prosperity of all in the family.
•  Palash is indeed a multifaceted herb, not only featuring prominently in holy rituals but also comprising myriad useful components in its plant parts of flowers, fruits, seeds, for promoting health and wellbeing.
• The stem is used as a staff on the day of ‘Sodmung’ a part of thread ceremony. When a boy becomes sadhu he is given a leaf of this plant to eat and his staff is made up of Palasa wood.
• Palasha is also mentioned in Mahabharata when saint Jamdagni performs a sacrifice to the gods in Palasvana (a grove of Palasha tree) which was attended by all rivers.
• In his book Ritusamhara, Kalidas describes the jungle of Dhak trees in full bloom that looks like fire on the horizon, making earth look like a newly wed bride with red garments.
• There are many riddles and superstitions associated with the tree. A Hindu superstition has it that if the root of a Palasha is collected during Ashvini nakshtra and tied to a man’s arm, any woman he touches will fall in love with him.
• In Kerala Palash is called Plasu or Chamata. The wood is essential as firewood for yagya, agnihotra, and worship by offering of mantras to fire. It is nearly as common as the holy Tulsi in homes of Namboodari Brahmins in Kerala. Palash flowers are also used for worship of Lord Shiva, especially in Andhra Pradesh.
• In South India, the Palash tree is widely used not only for medicinal and holy purposes but also to serve food in the fresh green leaves.

HOLI WITH TESU/PALASH FLOWERS

The tesu flowers are traditionally used for colour-play in the spring festival of Holi. Tesu flowers are boiled in water to give fragrant, deep yellow water which has medicinal properties and prevents skin problems in the coming summer.

For Holi celebrations, Vrindavan’s Radha Vallabh temple uses warm tesu water from huge silver cauldrons, and brass water sprinklers that is pichkaris to spray colour on everyone in the temple courtyard.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:

• Bestowed with umpteen medicinal traits and therapeutic bioactive components, Palash flowers, as well as the roots, leaves, seeds, fruits are a panacea to heal myriad health anomalies, such as treating stomach infections, alleviating diabetes symptoms, easing bowel movements and even boosting sexual functions.
• Topical application of Palash pastes on the skin can be done in moderate amounts after making sure that no allergic reactions occur.
• When giving to children, it is recommended to serve very small portions of Palash extracts along with warm milk and jaggery or honey, to facilitate smooth digestion.

Palash Dosage:

The recommended dosage of Palash formulations for safe ingestion in the body on a daily basis for adults is:

1 – 2 tsp of Palash Churna with warm water and honey after meals

10 – 20 ml of leaf juice

50 – 100 ml of bark decoction

3 – 6 grams of flower powder

3 – 6 grams of seed extracts

1 – 3 grams of gum resin

These concentrations of Palash infusions are generally safe and effective when consumed along with the regular diet. However, it is advised to consult with a certified Ayurvedic practitioner prior to ingesting Palash formulations, in order to ensure taking only the required dose and avert any side effects from excess consumption.

Side Effects of Palash:

• Avoid consuming Palash formulations regularly for a prolonged period of time, since it hampers kidney functions.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take Palash in any form as it could influence the reproductive and lactating hormones.
• For people with sensitive skin and very dry scalp, Palash paste preparations trigger allergies, rashes and hence must not be used.

CONCLUSION:

Palash, clad by the scientific nomenclature Butea Monosperma, is truly an invaluable gift from Mother Nature and the time-tested system of Ayurveda, to enhance overall health. Packed with strong antioxidants, phytonutrients and anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and aphrodisiac traits, Palash plant extracts aid in mitigating numerous health anomalies such as skin infections, joint pain and low sex drive. The best way to reap the superb benefits of the Palash plant is by taking the herbal formulations in the right dosage, to steer clear of any side effects and uplift wellbeing.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

CHINA ORANGE – The Tiny Magic Fruit 🍊

Since my childhood I was very much fascinated with this plant, when my uncle brought this ornamental plant from some other country for decoration. Still I remember those bright magical balls in their bright colours; they were really looking amazing & very attractive. But that time I was not aware, these are edible, full of nutrients & power packed bomb of health benefits. Time just passed but that memory remained with me. I started planning my farm, that time I remembered those tiny magical fruit plants, just planted few in a row. After few months they started blooming, believe me fragrance was so amazing, it could easily took every one’s attention. I tried these flowers in my infusion of tea ☕️. It was so refreshing. After that, I was very serious for this plant; even leaves can be used for our tea & food for taste and fragrance. Plants really don’t need much care, only little love & care can really flourish them.  Like me, most people really don’t know about the real benefits of this extra sour fruit.

One can use in making: Squash, Marmalade, Lemonade, Pickles- Sweet & sour, Can be added in salads, in soups and Orange tarts and for adding flavour to Cakes, Rice, Orange curry sauce etc.

These are very tasty and at the same time it gives us plenty of vitamins and minerals. This fruit tea helps in curing fever & sour throat & lungs infections.

Not only that after using juices from fruits, dried peels powder can be very handy for our food & also for making our skin care products. It acts as anti aging, we can use for clean & clear beautiful healthy skin.

Now I have started making small plants out for gifting my friends & relatives & also letting them know the real benefits of this magical time little powerful fruit.

HAPPY GARDENING!!

Suchita Maskara

suchita.maskara@gmail.com

EARTH HOUR

(Compiled from Internet)

• Earth is the only planet or Astronomical body known to have life. About 29% of earth is land and remaining 71% consists of water, mainly oceans, but also include rivers, lakes and fresh water falls.
• Earth, its sustainable management and   wise use of its resources including ecosystem are key to combat climate change and protect us as well as our future generations. Engaging and empowering people and community participation helps in restoration of Ecosystem. 
• EARTH HOUR is a worldwide movement organised by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

• The event is held annually since 2008 encouraging masses from individuals to businesses to turn off non essential electric lights, for one hour from 8.30 pm to 9.30pm on a specific day in March end, to raise awareness, towards energy conservation and it’s effect on environment It symbolises our commitment towards earth  planet.
• It started in year 2007, in Sydney Australia, as lights off event and has grown to 7000 cities of 187 countries. Ist Earth Hour was observed on March 31^st 2007, in Sydney. This year Earth Hour is being observed on Saturday March 26th, 2022.
• Earth Hour is a symbolic action and does not purport to help in energy reduction. It is an initiative to create awareness among masses to be concerned about environmental challenges.
• Scientific studies have shown that there was reduction in electricity consumption of average 4% during the event.
• The Earth Hour’s short term energy conservation can be converted into long term actions, including sustained challenges in behaviour and investments.

Please join the movement and switch- off your lights in support of nature and our planet Earth.

“Earth does not belong to us, we belong to Mother Earth“

Shailja Mishra

mishra.shailja6325@gmail.com

An Escapade with Vermicomposting

When we are performing any new task, it gives us many challenges. Same had happened with me during the course of vermicomposting. I had shared some problems that I had faced earlier as well. In this issue I will share my latest experience with my all gardening enthusiastic fellow people.

LATEST EXPERIENCE: I noticed that when I was feeding my worm bin, the food waste was not feeling wet to the touch. The water was bound up in the cell walls of food waste, which was still intact, because waste was not finely chopped. I tried to  cut the waste into small pieces but it was hard to work for the worms. Result was that it took more time for decomposition due to cold weather and the water got released into the vermicompost bin.

RESULT:

• Lack of a wet feeling can lead you to add water to a worm bin.
• Unnecessary adding water to a worm bin results in foul smell.
• It is difficult to harvest ready vermicompost and dead worms.
• End up killing worms.

ADVICE: You can always test whether your soil requires water or not. Just squeeze the compost in your fist. If only some water drops come out, then it is the time to add some water. But just spray water to provide enough moisture to the compost. Do not over water; otherwise you will end up killing your worms.

If you wish to read previous problems faced with me, you can click the below mentioned link.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bs_07rX-kvhKIfqj49ahAefkL2cYzLxx/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109874208812660668172&rtpof=true&sd=true

Enjoy your experience with the earthworms and wait to get black gold harvest from the bin.

Sugandh Bhatnagar

                                                                                                     sugandhbhatnagar1999@gmail.com

Gardening and It’s Benefits

“I grow plants for many reasons: to please my soul, to challenge the elements or to challenge my patience, for novelty, or for nostalgia, but mostly for the joy in seeing them grow”- David Hobson

• Gardening may be a fun and relaxing way to get in touch with nature, but did you know that it also has plenty of health benefits?
• Gardening is the best way of recreation.
• Gardening is an activity that’s good for both the mind and body, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
• Some nature lovers have gardening as hobby because they love nature’s scenic beauty.
• Gardening allows you to grow fruits and vegetables of your choice in your garden. Plus, you get to eat the delicious fruits, vegetables and herbs that you grow.

So, grab your tools and get in the dirt!

Happy Gardening!!

Shashi Kmara

sanyakamra9@gmail.com

EVENTS/FESTIVALS

HFS WISHES YOU A HAPPY AND COLOURFUL HOLI

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

FIND THE HIDDEN GARDENING ACTIVITIES THAT WE GENERALLY PERFORM IN OUR GARDENS, TERRACE ETC. (20 ACTIVITIES)

Activity names are either horizontal or vertical. No diagonal or backward.

• Share the solved puzzle within 3 days of release of the issue and mail us the solved puzzle at our email id puzzle.hfsog@gmail.com. Also mention your address and contact number. Correct entries will be considered to declare the winners who will be chosen through lucky draw. The solved puzzle and winners will be announced in next issue.
• The Winner of February 2022 Crossword puzzle is Mr. Nitin Kumar. Congratulations!! Your gift will reach to you soon

SOLVED CROSSWORD PUZZLE (FEBRUARY 2022)

Across

6. It occurs when the soil of some area is completely saturated with water – WATER LOGGING

7. drink made by putting herbs, seeds or leaves in hot water – INFUSION

10. Best houseplant for the beginners – PEACELILY

12. Bamboo thrives well in this kind of soil – LOAMY SOIL

13. Its infusion is excellent for controlling diabetes – FENUGREEK

15. The plant that will rule the year 2022 – FERNS

Down

1. Helps the brain to retain more information – CHOCOLATE

2. Base design of Japandi – SCANDINAVIAN

3. Soil bacterium in dry or liquid form that can be toxic to certain insects – SPINOSAD

4. Its infusion act as immunity booster – HARSINGAR

5. It helps in reducing acidity – CLOVE

8. Organically approved fungicide that can be used to combat fungal diseases like powdery mildew – SULPHUR

9. A chemical substance used to protect plants from infestation – PESTICIDE

11. A rich source of low calorie, fibre, protein and antioxidants – MUSHROOM

14. Protect plants from sunburn and help to reduce heat stress in plants – KAOLINCLAY

FRIENDS, IT IS TIME TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR WITH

11, 12 & 13 MAR 2022.

BECAUSE WE BRING YOU ONE OF THE MOST AWAITED EVENTS FOR GARDEN AND FOOD LOVERS.

“FLOWER SHOW

&

CHATKARE FOOD FESTIVAL”

THE TEAM BEHIND

“THE HFS TIMES“

Mrs Rama Tyagi            Director HFS

Mr Som Dutt Tyagi          Advisor                          

Gp Capt Sushil Bhatia     Chief Editor

Ms Vandana Bhatnagar     Editor and Content Provider

Ms Sugandha Singhania Asst Editor

Ms Shailja Mishra          Editor and Content Provider

Mr Sandeep Rohilla      Executive & Marketing Editor

Ms Sonia Agrawal          Creative Editor

Mr Devraj Singh             Technical Head