FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Hello…..

So, the festival season in India has just kicked off with Ganesh Chaturthi. And lots of celebrations coming our way, in the form of Teachers’ Day, Onam, Hindi Diwas, Engineer’s Day, and then Navratris towards the end of September.

However, we have sort of forgotten the actual purpose of celebrating the festivals. In our self-righteous attitude, we forget our mother nature. Over a period of time, we have been damaging our environment each day. We have these Ganesha idols, made up of PoP, which has dangerous chemicals in it. With lethal chemicals-loaded paints on them. And we immerse them in deep oceans, in the name of our religion, forgetting that these are making our waters polluted beyond control.

I still remember those days we used to go to our villages during school holidays. We never heard of leaving our carbon foot prints anywhere. Because we used to live WITH nature. We used to stay in mud houses; the floor used to be cleaned and layered with cow-dung. The roof was thatched one, made of hay stack, which was locally available in plenty. We never heard of electricity failure, because there was no electricity at that time. Nor any much need was felt.

During summers, we used to lay our cots beneath the Neem trees just outside our house, and played. As the evening approached, it used to be time for all the birds to return to their nests, with their chicks waiting in anticipation for food tit bits. At times, it seemed there was a competition of sorts, as to who created louder ruckus, the birds on the trees or the kids playing underneath them. It was such a unison of celebrations. Each day, each evening, and each dawn. Because we never feared for each other; because we had respect for each others.

Today, we see a mayhem all around. Because we have do not have respect for mother nature, our environs.

And this is what we are going to leave for our next generations? A school bag, full of text books, going to school in a Smokey bus, and an oxygen cylinder with the lunch box? He can enjoy air conditioner, but has to go to Oxygen bar to get oxygen. What a shame!

So, time to think on these lines has long gone back. Now is the time to act, before it is too late.

All the best!

GARDENING IN SEPTEMBER

September can be unpredictable in the north. Sometimes the weather is sunny and mild while other times the heat of the summer drags on or there’s excessive rainfall. That unpredictability can be even worse in the South. You might still be plagued with excessive heat or in the path of a hurricane. Find out what you should be doing in the garden in September, depending on where you live.

All Regions

• Turn over your compost pile one last time. (Do not compost anything with disease.)
• Clean up your flower beds. Cut back perennials that are done blooming. And trim off any dead or diseased vegetation.
• Take cuttings from plants you want to propagate.
• Continue watering plants, such as summer vegetables, that are still actively growing.
• Start bringing in houseplants that you have kept outdoors during the summers and monsoons. But first, inspect them for insects and other pests that you don’t want to bring inside.

September is a busy month for Gardeners in India as all the preparation for winter and spring blooms have to be done in this month. Those who are not interested in spring competitions can start planting their seedlings in pots or beds now to have them blooming during Diwali. One of the early bloomers are Marigold and Chrysanthemums for Diwali blast. You must have sown your seeds in August and they should be ready for transplanting.

Border design tips

Remember to have a selection of plants with different seasons of interest. Set out your plants by height, tallest at the back of the border, shortest at the front. Vary the height along the border to avoid a uniform, blocky feel. Set out the larger shrubs singly and evenly along the space and surround these with groups of perennials or annuals like mesembryanthemum /candytufts /petunia /viola /pansy /Alyssum.

Shrubs can also be grouped in clustered groups where space allows.
Set out perennials in either single variety groups or repeated blocks of the same perennial mix. Odd numbers give a more natural feel when planting in groups.

Prune:

Perennials should be cut down in autumn as their foliage dies back, Some have ornamental seed heads or foliage that can be left through winter to add interest on a frosty morning.
Most deciduous shrubs can be pruned during winter and early spring while dormant. Evergreen shrubs are best pruned in early summer. Even if you get the timing wrong you will only lose flowers for one season, so don’t panic!
Here’s a handy list of what to plant in September, along with the flowers, fruits and vegetables you can grow this month:

Sow calendula seeds , violas lupins, aconitum, Hollyhock, Salvias, larkspur, Carnations, cineraria, petunias, salvias, antirrhinum, brachycome into pots and trays outdoors and leave in an unheated greenhouse or outdoors for stunning flowers next spring.
Sow sweet peas and delphiniums this month.
A careful watch should be kept on chrysanthemums in pots. The treatment you give now will determine the quality of blooms in future.

Lawns will need ammonium sulphate or nitrate of soda at the close of monsoons.
Sprinkle California poppies into your borders for stunning colour late next spring.
Direct sow Love-in-a-Mist (nigella) — it will over-winter quite happily and will self-seed prolifically.

Extend the season by filling any gaps with chrysanthemums in your borders with autumn-flowering plants, such as marigold , to extend the colour to the end of the season.

Bulbs sowing temperature should be around 25 C (this is night temperature).
Plant hyacinth and amaryllis bulbs for forcing, to ensure a crowd of colourful blooms at Christmas and new year. Keep them in a dark, cool place like a shed or garage and bring them indoors when the shoots are 5cm tall. Perfect for a homemade Christmas present!
Plant spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils, crocus and hyacinths, tulips.

Plant new perennials, trees and shrubs. Now is a good time as the soil is still warm and maybe you have the last of the monsoon showers.

Vegetable seeds of following can be sown:

• Tomato🍅
• Cabbage
• Coriander
• Cauliflower
• Lettuce
• Methi/fenugreek
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Radish
• Spinach
• Turnip
• Can be sowed as the first sowing of winter vegetables.
• Dig holes for fruit trees you want to plant next month now.

You can start strawberries too. If you have suckers from last year’s plants , plant them in separate pots with fresh soil mix.

Hope you are watching your cactus and adeniums too as very soon they will be going to sleep.
Regular feeding to Bonsai and ornamental plants continues.

Happy Gardening!

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

SOWING YOUR SEEDS

We keep getting lots of questions about germination of seeds. So here are few quick tips for you.

• Purchase your seeds from good source, or reputed company. Many a times, the seeds may be expired, or can be from diseased lot. This will result in failure and loss of time, efforts, morale.
• Ensure seeds disease free.
• Seeds should be sown in sand preferably or take vermiculite +perlite + cocopeat in equal proportions . In some cases you can add vermi-compost also.
• Finer seeds like those of Petunia should be mixed with sand and just spread on the medium. They should not be covered. Thumb rule is to insert the seeds as per the thickness of seeds. Bigger seeds go deep and small seeds spread on the surface.
• For sowing seeds you can use seedling trays or normal trays too. It is easy to transplant from seedling trays. These days, trays or small pots made of biodegradable material, is popular, so you do not have to remove the sapling.

• Make a habit to label every types of seeds planted .
•  Plant them in rows for easy recognition, if you are planting in a plain tray then divide and place sticks to divide each column or squares.
• Label or tag all seeds sown along with the date on it.
• Sow the seeds at proper distance, not too close.
• Ensure soil is just moist, not too wet or too dry.

happy sowing!

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

PRESENCE OF MAA DURGA IN HERBS AND PLANTS

God is omnipresent that is he is present everywhere, in everything and at the same time. At many times, God makes his presence known to ordinary people through various miracles etc.

As per the spiritual text “DURGA KAWACH” written by Lord Brahma, various herbs and medicinal plants represent the NINE FORMS of MAA DURGA. “MARKANDEY PURAN” too cites the presence of Maa Durga in various herbs and medicinal plants. Let’s have a look at them:

• First Avatar is MAA SHAILPUTRI, represented by HARAD also known as Himawati. It is one of the prime ayurveda herbs. It is of 7 types and each type has its own peculiarities. These 7 types are: Haritika, Pathya, Kayastha, Amruta, Hemavati, Chetaki and Sreyasi. Harad helps in curing weak digestion, constipation, cough and cold, weak immunity, skin diseases, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease etc.

• The Second Avatar is MAA BHRAMCHARINI, represented by BRAHMI. It helps in boosting age, blood circulation, sharp memory, increasing stamina and attaining melodious voice and that’s why also called as Sarawati.

• The Third Avatar is MAA CHANDRAGHANTA, represented by CHANDUSURA also called as Chamsura, chandrika and charmhanti. It is a multi-purpose herb especially used to cure obesity. It resembles coriander. The herb is good for stamina and heart.
• The Fourth Avatar is MAA KUSHMANDA, represented by PUMPKIN also called as Kumhada. Pumpkin is commonly used as a vegetable and sweets are also prepared with it. It is good for heart, stomach, semen and also helps in getting rid of Pitta and Vayu vikars.

• The Fifth Avatar is MAA SKANDAMATA, represented by LINSEED commonly known as Alsi. It is loaded with nutrients and is rich in dietary fibre. It helps in Vaat, Pitta and Cough Vikars. It helps to maintain the cholesterol level, lowers blood pressure, reduces cancer risk etc. It is a multi- dimensional herb used for almost all the purposes and can be taken on regular basis.

• The Sixth Avatar is MAA KATYAYANI, represented by MOIYA, also called as Machika. Goddess Katyayani is also referred as Ambika, Ambalika and Amba. Moiya helps in curing Cough, Pitta and throat related disease.
• The Seventh Avatar is MAA KALRATRI, represented by NAGADAUN. Maa Kalratri is also known as Mahayogini. Nagadaun is a multi-purpose herb and is used for curing problems related to nervous system.
• The Eight Avatar is MAA MAHAGAURI, represented by TULSI which is a household herb. It is of seven types namely, Shweta, Shyama, Maruta, Davna, Kudherak, Arjak and Shatapatra. It helps in cleaning the blood thereby helping in heart related issues. It treats Kidney stone, fights acne, relieves headache, fever etc.

• The Ninth Avatar is MAA SIDDHIDATRI, represented by SHATAWARI. It is a multi-purpose herb and can be consumed on daily basis. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, treats diarrhea, ulcers and maintains blood sugar level.

All these Nine herbs are a complete package of good health.
Stay Fit and Healthy!!

Sugandha Singhania
sugandhacpsinghania@gmail.com

TIPS FOR STARTING YOUR WINTER VEGETABLE GARDEN

Before embarking on the task of laying out and preparing a vegetable garden it is necessary to determine what vegetables one will grow and in what quantities they are required. We all are urban gardeners so we have constraints of space too. So taking this into consideration we must plan judiciously. What are the vegetables liked by our family members most.

You can start the seeds late September for the winter vegetables like radish, carrot, cauliflower and almost any vegetable this time of the year. Start with leafy vegetables like lettuce ,spinach, coriander, fenugreek, celery, parsley . Also you can grow round radishes too.

What are the easiest vegetables to grow in pots or containers?

The following vegetables can also be grown in the pots:

• Beetroot / carrot / radish
• Green – spinach / chard / lettuce / basil
• Gourd – squash, bitter gourd, bottle gourd. Squash is the easiest to grow and will grow like a weed
• Brinjal.

How much sunlight do vegetables need?

Most vegetables will not thrive in shade. They need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight. These grow best in east or west facing balconies or in the terrace.

Preparing the soil mix

As i have mentioned before you can make your potting mix either soil less or with soil.

Make your mix

• Soil 4 parts
• Compost 3 parts
• Sand 2 parts
• Rest 1 part contains
• Mustard cake +neem cake+bone meal + micronutrients.

For soil less medium you will have to use

• Coco Peat+compost +vermiculite+perlite along with bone meal +mustard cake +neem cake.

Make sure your pots and soil are sterilized.

Wash your pots with hot water and dry in the Sun.Solarise the potting mix also.

A little effort now will surely bear great results.

As we are always plagued with various problems in our crops if attention is not paid.

Other points to remember are

• Buy your vegetable seeds from a reliable place.
• Treat your seeds before sowing .
• Treat your seedlings also before transplanting.

What to plant:

Choose faster maturing varieties, as growing days are limited.

Calculate growing time: Add 2-3 weeks to maturing time found on seed packets to allow for shorter, cooler days.

Determine when to plant: Find the estimated first frost date for your area (a quick Google search), and subtract the estimated growing time.

Amend the soil: Replenish soil with compost or fertilizer, especially where recent summer crops were grown.

Succession plant: Fast growers such as lettuces, carrots, and radishes can be succession planted to stagger harvest time.

Companion plant: Using plants to help other plants can give them a boost, attract pollinators, aapplicatipests.

Add mulch: A layer of mulch will help protect your plants from late summer heat by insulating the root zone and holding in moisture.

HERBS TO GROW WITH FALL VEGETABLES

• Cilantro
• Dill
• Basil
• Parsley
• Chives
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Oregano
• Mint
• Nasturtiums

How often do I need to fertilize or add manure to vegetables?

You will need to add once before sowing. Then while flowering and then at least every 2 weeks during the maturing season. The type of manure can be foliar or soil application.

Many alternate between vermi-compost and a foliar spray of seaweed extract every week. You can also add mustard cake and neem cake tea every 10 days. (Take a handful of mustard cake +neem cake soak in water. Keep for 3 days ). Stir, strain and dilute in 1:10 ratio.

Can I use seeds from the kitchen?

Yes, you can for chilli, tomato and coriander. A word of caution though. You will find the germination rates slightly lesser than the treated seeds available from the market. For best results, wash the seeds in running water and then dry them in the sun completely for a few days before sowing them. Else they will be susceptible to fungal infections.

Healthy Gardening & Happy Living.

Rama Tyagi
tyagirama1@gmail.com.

Spring Bulbs

Before you start planting bulbs, it is important to know about the different kinds of bulbs. If you plant the wrong bulb at the wrong time, you’ll be left with an empty garden. Spring-blooming flower bulbs include well-known bulbs such as tulips. You plant these in the autumn, so that you can enjoy the beautiful flowers in the spring, when they will bloom at the same time as the world famous Dutch tulip fields. Summer-blooming flower bulbs are planted at the same time that the spring bloomers flower. Summer bulbs, as they are also known, brighten up your garden in the summer. Spring-blooming bulbs and summer bulbs look almost identical.

If you want a sea of flowers in the spring, plant them in the autumn!

The best known flower bulbs are spring-blooming bulbs, such as those that grow in the legendary kashmir tulip garden. The spring bloomers that show up at the party first are the snowdrop and winter aconite. After that, your spring-blooming guests will start pouring in — soon after that you can expect crocuses, daffodils and tulips to colourfully burst out from the ground between February and March.

Temperature requirement for various Bulbs

Temperature is an important factor to plant winter bulbs. The general criteria is as follows:

• Gladioli : 25 – 35 deg C (Min)
• Nargis, Freesias, sparix, Ixia, Chinchi, tritonia: 17 – 25 deg C (Min)
• Tulips, Hyacinth, Oriental and Asiatic Lily : 12 -18 deg C (Min)

Flower bulbs in pots and planters

Spring-blooming flower bulbs are best planted between mid-September and late December. Of course, there are always exceptions: you can wait until early spring to plant flowers such as the Amaryllis or the Lilium. The perfect time to plant is when the temperature is below 10°C. That is when you should plant your garden to your heart’s content. A few weeks below 8°C is what your flower bulbs need, although just how long varies by bulb type and bulb size. The colder it becomes and the longer it stays cold, the better the flower will eventually bloom. Make sure that the flower bulbs are underground before the first frost, otherwise they may freeze. In the event of frost below -10°C, we recommend that you cover the soil where your bulbs are planted. Snow isn’t bad for flower bulbs. In fact, it acts as an extra layer of insulation.Though we don’t have snow in our areas.

The flowering period varies by bulb type and planting period. The first bulb to emerge is the snowdrop, which makes its appearance as early as January. The Lilium is the last spring-blooming bulb to rise out of the ground. As previously mentioned, all bulbs need a period of cold to develop and your flowers will appear sooner if it’s warmer early in the year (over 10°C). This means that the weather controls when your flowers bloom. The longer and more severe the winter period has been, the longer and stronger your flowers will bloom. That’s why it is recommended to keep it in the fridge for 2 months.

SOIL Requirements

Bulbs will need soil that drains nicely or they will rot. Work a few inches of compost or organic matter into the soil before planting for nutrients and drainage, especially if you have heavy clay soils.

Bulbs look great planted en masse. Treat bulbs with Bavistin/ humic acid.

Potting mix

• Garden soil 50%
• Manure 50%
• Cocopeat 10% Or Sand
• Bone meal 50gms
• Neem khali 50gms
• Fungicide 5gm
• Micronutrients 2gms

5 steps for planting spring bloomers:

Planting flower bulbs is very simple and creating a beautiful garden is child’s play. Follow the steps below and wait for the spring:

• Plant the bulbs between mid-September and late December. It is important that the temperature be lower than 10°C.
• Plant bulbs that bloom in the spring in a sunny location. After the winter they need a lot of sun to bloom.
• Dig a hole for a group of flower bulbs or dig small holes for individual bulbs and small groups. The depth of the hole should be approximately twice the depth and size of the bulb. Pay close attention to the distance between bulbs that is indicated on the package
• Spring bloomers can also be planted in a pot. Make sure that the bulbs are not too close to the rim of the pot, because they can still be affected by the frost.
• Fill the bottom of the pot with dry leaves or branches. Don’t feel bad for the bulbs that spend the winter outside; they need that brisk cold weather. They go into a kind of hibernation and spring back to life when the weather gets warmer again. If there is a severe frost on the way, pack the pot in bubble wrap or bring it inside to a temporary location that is not warmer than 10°C.

Always fill the flower pot or border with fresh potting soil for flower bulbs as this contains the perfect nutrients to help the bulbs develop. Be sure to give the spring bloomers enough water. This is crucial for the development of the flower bulb’s root system. When planting in a flower pot, it’s important to make sure that water can drain away. Too much water is not good for the bulbs.

Plant bulbs generously in case some do not sprout.

After planting, apply fertilizer low in nitrogen, such as a 9-6-6 formulation. If your soil is sandy, plant bulbs slightly deeper; in clay soils, slightly shallower. Apply fungicide and NPK every 15 days

Do you have  squirrels? Consider planting your bulbs in a “cage” fashioned with chicken wire. Also, check out our tips for preventing squirrel damage. Or try planting some rodent-proof bulbs.

Consider bloom time for each bulb (early spring, mid-spring, late spring) so you have blooms throughout spring!

I hope I have been able to clear the doubts.

Happy Gardening.

Rama Tyagi.

tyagirama1@gmail.com

LOOKING AFTER SANSEVIERIAS

It has been our endeavor to educate people on various topics on gardening, pets and diseases, etc.

Towards this, many of our experts from the society have been hosting such programs on National Television.

It is really a proud moment for the society.

We bring you recording of one such program telecast few days back.

HOW TO MAKE SMILY PLANTERS AT HOME

HARNESSING THE POWER OF YOUNGER GENERATION

We have been constantly thriving to harness the energy and power of the Gen Next to realise the importance of mother nature, our environment so that they participate actively in rebuilding the green planet.

Towards this, we have been organising workshops in various schools and colleges so that the children can befriend mother nature. We are also hand-holding the schools and colleges in developing vegetable, and themed gardens in their back yards.

Below are some of the photographs of such workshops going on Ram Chameli Chadha College, Ghaziabad. The speakers were Rama Tyagi and Jagriti Mishra on the topic of Soil.

LET US GO GREEN WAY THIS GANESH CHATURTHI

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a 10-day long festival of India, that is celebrated to celebrate the birth of the revered Hindu god Ganesha – the harbinger of new beginnings and the remover of all evils. It is the usual practice in India to worship Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, before beginning any pious work.

The festival commences on the fourth day following the arrival of the new moon (Shukla Paksha Chaturthi) in the month of Bhadrapada, which usually falls in August or September. It ends on the 14th day of the waxing moon (bright half of the moon) called Anant Chaturdashi.

Known by 108 names, Shri Ganesha is one of the most worshipped deities in Hinduism and is regarded as ‘the god for everybody’. In the weeks leading up to the day of his birth, sculptors can be seen making clay models of the deity in various sizes (from 3/4 inches up to 70 feet tall), while exquisitely crafted pandals (temporary tents carrying idols of gods) are simultaneously set up.

LET US DO GREEN GANESH UTSAV THIS YEAR ON

Every year, most of us do immersion of Lord Ganesha in our rivers, oceans or ponds, which are already choking with all kinds of pollutants.

Generally, these idols are made up of plaster of Paris (POP), which contains harmful chemicals. These huge idols are then painted with chemical paint, which can not be bio-degraded till few thousands of years.

So, let us decide to go green way this year onwards. One alternative is to make the idol in clay, and instead of immersing it in rivers, let us symbolically immerse it in a planter. There can be several flower seeds in the clay. Over a period of time, the clay will fill the pot and seeds will germinate.

HAPPY GANESH CHATURTHI!

sushil bhatia

sush16534@gmail.com

MAKING AN ECO FRIENDLY GANESHA

So, here is a way of creating an eco-friendly Ganesha, as told by our Dr Madhu.

संवरती हरियाली हमारे आसपास
कर भला तो हो भला

 इस खूबसूरत उक्ति से लगभग हम सभी वाक़िफ हैं। बहुतों के पास इसके तरह-तरह के अनुभव भी अवश्य होंगे और प्रकृति प्रेमी इसके बेहतरीन उदाहरण हैं।
प्रकृति तो अपने पूरे मनोयोग से कार्य करती हुई हम सभी पर निश्छलता से कृपा बरसाती रही है। उसके प्रेमी भी अपने हौसले और मेहनत से हरियाली बढ़ाने में तत्पर हैं और उपहार स्वरूप फल,फूल,सब्जी और अनाज का उपभोग करते हैं ।

निःसंदेह ही इससे उपर्युक्त उक्ति चरितार्थ होती है।

सावन -भादौं के महीनों में  बरखा भी कुछ इठलाती बलखाती-सी अपनी मस्तियां धरती पर लुटाती है और सोंधी मिट्टी भी खुश होकर चारों ओर मदमस्त हरियाली बिखेर देती है।ऐसी निश्छल और मनभावन हरियाली जिससे कोई अछूता नहीं रह पाता। मन बरबस गुनगुनाना चाहता  है, पींगे बढ़ाना चाहता है। मतलब साफ़ है कि हरियाली का मन से सीधा संबंध है, संवाद है।  यही तो है खुशहाली का संदेश।

यानी हरियाली से सबका भला तो सुनिश्चित है।

हरियाली प्रकृति की देन है तो इसे संभालना और संवारना हमारा फ़र्ज़। हम सभी जानते हैं कि हमारा जीवन इसी से है और आज के विषैले माहौल में  इसे बढ़ाना हमारा दायित्व बन जाता है।
हमारी और आने वाले पीढ़ी का जीवन और खुशियां इससे सीधे सीधे जुड़ी हुई हैं।तो आइए हमसभी मिलकर प्रण लें कि  इस दिशा में थोड़ा – थोड़ा मिलकर भला करेंगे तो निश्चित रूप से हमारा भला तो होगा ही साथ ही हरियाली को पसारने में हमारा योगदान भी होगा।
ये वक्त की ज़रूरत भी है।इस तरह हमारी जागरूकता का पैमाना भी।
आजकल सावन के महीने में हर तरफ फल-फूलों की भरमार है।कीट पतंगे भी खुश हैं और भौंरे भी निंधडक गुनगुना रहे हैं। त्योहारों की रंगीनी से लेकर प्रकृति की रंगीनी का विस्तार देखते ही बनता है।
 बहुत से जागरूक लोग अपने दैनिक श्रम से छतों और बालकनियों में  उत्साहित हो हरियाली और रंगीनी फैला ही रहे हैं ।

इस तरह हरियाली हमारे आसपास अपने पंख खोल रही है।इस बार की हरियाली हमारे आसपास की कड़ी में हम आपकी मुलाक़ात गाजियाबाद के रामप्रस्थ ग्रींस के दो बागवानों से कराते हैं।
पहली हैं बलविंदर कौर जी और दूसरी हैं नीलम गुप्ता जी। 

दिल्ली निवासी बलविंदर कौर जी हाल ही में रामप्रस्थ ग्रींस में रहने आई हैं। हिंदी और संस्कृत की अच्छी समझ रखने वाली बलविंदर जी पेशे से शिक्षिका हैं। बागवानी से आपका लगाव पहले से ही था ,बाद में पति  ने भी प्रेम से इसमें साथ निभाया। यादें साझा करते हुए आप बताती हैं कि कुछ गमले उन्होंने ही मेरे  चेहरे पर मुस्कान लाने के लिए खरीदे थे जो अब मेरी धरोहर हैं। जीवनसाथी के असमय संसार से विदा होने और पारिवारिक परिस्थितियों को देखते हुए लगभग तीन साल पहले आप नए घर में रहने आईं। पौधों, बच्चों और शिक्षण में मन लगा ही रहीं थीं कि कोरोना ने दस्तक दे दी। बलविंदर जी बताती हैं कि अभी आस-पड़ोस से मुलाकात भी नहीं हो पाई थी कि एक बिल्कुल अलग तरह से अलग-थलग पड़ गए थे हमलोग।उस समय हमारा मानसिक संबल ये पौधे ही बने जो कभी हमारी मुस्कुराहटों की सजीव निशानी थे।

बलविंदर कौर जी बताती हैं जब हम सोसाइटी में आए, उसके कुछ ही महीनों बाद ही कोरोनावायरस फैल गया। सभी की तरह हमारी  दिनचर्या  में भी अचानक बदलाव आ गया । विद्यालय बंद होने और नई जगह  पर आने के कारण  शुरुआती महीने तो बिल्कुल खाली ही हो गए थे ।जीवन में रिक्तता, एकाकीपन और उदासीनता बढ़ती जा रही थी।कुछ सूझ नहीं रहा था। अकस्मात  एक रोशनी सी जगी और मैं  अपनी बालकनी में रखे 10 -12 पौधों को छत पर ले जाकर  सजाने लगी। पता ही नहीं चला कब मिट्टी से हाथ पैर सनने लगे और  उदासीनता गायब होने लगी। आंतरिक मुस्कान के साथ आनंद का अनुभव होने लगा।  यही वो समय था जब पौधों के साथ मेरा रिश्ता गहराने लगा।वो मेरे और मैं अपना दुख-सुख उनके साथ साझा करने लगी । पौधों ने मुझे अपना बना लिया था और इस तरह   छत की बगिया कब बढ़ती चली गई मुझे खुद ही पता नहीं चला।

एक से दो, दो से चार पौधे  बढ़ते चले गए । अपनी खुशी बयां करते हुए बलविंदर जी बताती हैं कि बच्चे भी अपनी ‌वयस्त जिंदगी में सुकून और मस्ती के पल ढूंढने छत पर आ जाते हैं पर बिटिया  को धीरे- धीरे  छत पर मेरा और पौधों का साथ भाने लगा।वो भी बागवानी करने में प्रफुल्लित होती है और पौधों की साज संवार  और पोषण में मेरी सहायता करती है। आप समय -समय पर छत की बगिया में टमाटर, मिर्च, हरी प्याज , लौकी, करेला , बैंगन ,पत्तेदार सब्जियां जैसे साग (सरसों),पालक, मेथी,पुदीना ,धनिया लगाती रहती हैं और अपनी रसोई को खुशहाल बनाती रहती हैं।

  पहले तो समय होने के कारण वो खाद डालना ,सूखे पत्ते हटाना, बीज रोपण आदि आवश्यक रखरखाव और संभाल स्वयं ही करती थीं पर अब फिर व्यस्तता हो जाने के कारण उतना समय नहीं दे पातीं।इसके लिए माली की सहायता लेती हैं। सप्ताह में एक दिन आकर माली पौधों की कटाई-छंटाई,गुड़ाई, और सफ़ाई कर जाता है जिससे बगिया व्यवस्थित हो जाती है। छत के अलावा आपने बालकनी भी हरी-भरी कर रखी है। जैसा कि आमतौर पर पौधे प्रेमी करते हैं, आपने भी छत और बालकनी दोनों ही हरिया रखी हैं। बालकनी मौसमी फूलों से रंगीन होती है तो छत पर आपने अपराजिता ,गिलोय, आंवला, अंजीर ,शमी, एलोवेरा, नींबू, तुलसी, अमरूद ,अनार आदि के अनेक पेड़ -पौधे  लगा रखे हैं। इसके अतिरिक्त मनी प्लांट ,स्नेक प्लांट, स्पाइडर प्लांट ,जेड प्लांट ,जीजी आदि अनेक सजावटी पौधे भी आपके कलैक्शन का हिस्सा  हैं। फूल वाले पौधों में सनफ्लावर ,पोर्टलुका, मेरीगोल्ड ,रेन लिली, गुलाब,  सदाबहार, बोगनवेलिया , मॉर्निंग ग्लोरी आदि अनेक प्रकार के पौधे आपकी बगिया को मौसम के अनुसार महकाते और संवारते रहते हैं। औषधीय पौधों में अश्वगंधा,मरुआ, अजवायन, पथरचटा, बेसिल, गिलोय और एलोवेरा आपने बहुतायत में लगा‌ रखे हैं।

मुस्कुराते हुए बलविंदर जी बताती हैं कि बच्चों पर इस बागवानी का असर यह है कि वह मुझे पौधों के साथ व्यस्त देखकर प्रसन्न होते हैं। मेरा एकाकीपन कैसे बीत जाता है ना उन्हें पता चलता है ना ही मुझे । किसी भी अन्य वस्तु की आवश्यकता या साथ नहीं चाहिए होता जब आप पौधों के साथ होते हैं। यानी पौधे मेरे सच्चे हमदर्द हैं। हां एक बेहद खूबसूरत वाकया याद करते हुए  पौधों की संभाल पर आप एक उक्ति याद करते हुए कहती हैं कि अति का भला न कोय ।मतलब पौधे कभी भी ज़रूरत से ज़्यादा चीज़ें ग्रहण नहीं करते।मसलन न अधिक पानी, न अधिक खाद और न ही अधिक कीटनाशक। पूरी तरह से संतुलन और आवश्यकता का संदेश देते हुए ये पौधे हर प्रकार से हमारी जीवनी शक्ति बढ़ाते हैं।   आपने अपनी छत पर अधिकतर ग्रीन ग्रो बैग्स में ही पौधे लगाए हैं, टूटी हुई पुरानी बाल्टी, मिट्टी के मटके आदि का भी पूर्ण इस्तेमाल करने का प्रयास किया है ।प्लास्टिक के गमलों का प्रयोग नहीं किया गया है।

छत पर अधिक भार ना पड़े इसके लिए बांस की चालियों को गमलों के नीचे रखा गया है जिससे पानी पौधों में नहीं रुकता और हवा का बहाव बना रहता है। पर्यावरण संरक्षण की जागरूकता उन्हें हरा कचरा फेंकने की इजाज़त नहीं देती इसलिए वे अपनी बगिया की हरी पत्तियों और रसोई के हरे कचरे से अपनी बालकनी में मटके की सहायता से खाद बना लेती हैं। फिर इसका इस्तेमाल अपने पौधों के पोषण में करती हैं। अपनी संतुष्टि ज़ाहिर करते हुए कहती हैं कि पर्यावरण के लिए चुटकी भर किया प्रयास  अपार मानसिक संतोष देता है। आप बड़ी ही सहजता से बताती हैं कि पौधों की देखभाल करने से मानसिक तनाव कम हुआ है। पौधे एक तरह से हमारे लिए स्ट्रेस बस्टर के काम करते हैं। पौधों को यहां वहां रखने,उनकी देखभाल करने में कई बार उठना बैठना पड़ता है जिससे स्वत: ही शारीरिक श्रम हो जाता है।इस तरह बागवानी में किया गया परिश्रम और कसरत हमारे शारीरिक स्वास्थ्य को भी  बेहतर करता है। पड़ोसी भी छत पर आते हैं तो बगिया को देखकर उत्साहित होते हैं। बगिया की हरियाली और व्यवस्था देखकर प्रशंसा भी करते हैं और  अक्सर कहते हैं कि आपने व्यस्त दिनचर्या के बावजूद भी बहुत अच्छे से अपने पौधों को संभाला हुआ है।  

यादें समेटते हुए बलविंदर जी कहती हैं कि मैं अभी स्वयं को इतना एक्सपर्ट नहीं मानती कि किसी को बागवानी के बारे में बहुत सलाह दे सकूं, पर हम स्त्रियों को ,चाहे वर्किंग हों या पूरी तरह से गृहस्थ, जब भी और जहां भी थोड़ी सी भी संभावना मिले तो बागवानी अवश्य करनी चाहिए। मेरा मानना है कि इससे मानसिक संतुष्टि तो मिलती ही है साथ ही आंतरिक प्रसन्नता भी। मैंने मिट्टी के साथ रहकर प्रकृति को अपने बहुत करीब महसूस किया है और पाया है कि प्रकृति का संरक्षण ही  वास्तव में हमारे जीवन का रक्षण है।

इत्तेफ़ाक से इस बार की हरियाली हमारे आसपास  की इस कड़ी  में दोनों बागवान शिक्षिकाएं हैं। तीन मंजिला अपार्टमेंट में रहने वाली नीलम गुप्ता जी बताती हैं कि बागवानी का शौक उन्हें बचपन से ही मां के साथ लग गया था।

मां छत पर अपनी बगिया में अपने पौधे लगाती और संभालतीं थीं और मैं क्यारियां बनाकर उनका साथ देती थी।इस तरह बागवानी मुझे विरासत में मिली है। धीरे-धीरे मैं भी मां के साथ सब्जियां उगाने लगी और फल-सब्ज़ियों को पनपते देख मुझे बहुत खुशी मिलती थी।
बहुमंजिला अपार्टमेंट में अक्सर कई परिवारों को एक ही छत साझा करनी पड़ती है।नीलम जी भी दो पड़ोसियों के साथ मिलकर छत पर अपनी बागवानी के शौक को बढ़ा रही हैं। इसमें वे एक दूसरे की सहायता भी करते हैं। आजकल की शहरी भागदौड़  की ज़िंदगी में ये रिश्ते बहुत सुकूनदायक हैं और सौभाग्य से मिलते हैं।
रामप्रस्थ ग्रींस में अपनी बागवानी की कहानी बताते हुए नीलम जी बताती हैं कि शुरुआत में पौधे अपनी बालकनी में लगाए और फिर छत में। छत पर बागवानी कोरोनाकाल‌ में ही परवान चढ़ी। शुरुआती व्यस्तता और कोरोना के दौरान का अकेलापन इसकी खास वजह बना। पहले कुछ गमले छत पर गए और फिर बगिया ने अपना रूप लेना शुरू कर दिया।शौक और बचपन का अनुभव काम आया। पति ने भी अपना पूरा सहयोग बगिया संवारने में दिया। अब उन्हें भी पौधों से लगाव हो गया है और सुबह पौधों की सिंचाई अक्सर वही करते हैं।

छत पर नीलम जी मौसम के अनुसार  पालक, घीया (लौकी),टिंडा, तोरी (तरोई), नींबू, ककड़ी, भिंडी, टमाटर, हरी मिर्च, बैंगन,पुदीना, धनिया सैलेरी आदि सब्ज़ियां उगाती हैं ।फलों में अमरूद, पाइनएप्पल,संतरा उनकी बगिया की शान हैं।

फूलों में गुड़हल, हरसिंगार, गुलदावरी ( गुलदाउदी), चमेली,मोतिया(मोगरा), सूरजमुखी,पिटूनिया, फैंसी सदाबहार और गुलाब की कुछ किस्में मौसम के अनुसार उनकी बगिया की रंगत बढ़ाती हैं। पौधों की अधिकांश देखभाल दोनों पति पत्नी मिलकर करते हैं पर माली की भी सहायता ली जाती है।वो छत की सफाई, पौधों की छंटाई, गुड़ाई में मदद करता है।हर पौधे की पानी और धूप की अलग-अलग आवश्यकता होती है।  किसी पौधे को ज्यादा पानी चाहिए तो किसी को ज्यादा धूप।अपार्टमेंट की साझा छतों पर पूरे साल पौधों की सभी जरूरतें पूरी नहीं होतीं इसलिए ऊपर नीचे गमले रखने होते हैं। यानी बालकनी के गमले छत पर तो छत के पौधे बालकनी में पहुंचाने ही होते हैं जिसे माली के बिना करना मुश्किल है।

नीलम जी का कहना है कि मैं बागवानी के लिए घर पर बनी खाद का ही इस्तेमाल करती हूं।यह खाद मैं अपनी रसोई से निकले गीले कचरे से बनाती हूं।ये मेरा पर्यावरण के प्रति जागरूक योगदान है। कीटनाशक दवा भी मैं घर पर ही नीम के पत्ते उबालकर बनाती हूं।इसके लिए हल्दी, दालचीनी पाउडर का भी इस्तेमाल करती हूं। घर की पुरानी बाल्टी, टोकरी, मटके आदि को सजाकर गमले बना लेती हूं ।इस तरह पर्यावरण तो सुरक्षित होता ही है  साथ ही हमें कम खर्च में अच्छी सब्जियां भी मिल जाती हैं।

पौधों के लिए हफ्ते में एक दिन का पूरा समय जरूर निकालने वाली बागवान बताती हैं कि पौधे मेरे लिए बिल्कुल बच्चों की तरह हैं। उन्हें जब जरूरत होती है मैं उनके पास होती हूं।उनका साथ मुझे हमेशा सकारात्मक बनाए रखता है। जो भी बागवानी कर रहे हैं उन्हें वे ऑर्गेनिक बागवानी करने की सलाह देती हैं। कहती हैं कि इससे हम पर्यावरण और अपने स्वास्थ्य को सुरक्षित कर सकते हैं । रासायनिक उर्वरक कई हानिकारक रोगों की वजह होते हैं। विज्ञान की अध्यापिका नीलम जी कहना है कि पौधे हरियाली प्रदान करते हैं और हरियाली किसे पसंद नहीं आती। मुझे अपने विद्यार्थियों को पढ़ाने में पौधों से बहुत मदद मिलती है। मेरे पड़ोसी भी मेरी ही तरह पौधों से प्यार करते हैं।जब वे कहीं चले जाते हैं तो मैं उनके पौधों की देखभाल करती हूं और इसी तरह वे मेरे पौधों की देखरेख करते हैं।इस तरह एक जैसा बागवानी शौक होने के कारण हम पड़ोसियों में गहरी मित्रता है। इस तरह यह तो तय है कि कर भला तो हो भला। स्वस्थ रहिए!! मस्त रहिए!!      

                                                                                                                अर्चना प्रमोद रामप्रस्थ ग्रींस

BEST OUT OF WASTE

As a concept, the idea of a back lane, which is also called a service lane, is a unique idea in Delhi, but it’s seen that these back lanes often become either a dumping ground of debris and garbage or are encroached by ground floor residents, or they are full of weeds.

To overcome these issues, we have developed one of our back lanes in G-Pocket, Sarita Vihar, applying the unique idea of the 3R principle: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle.

• *We have painted the walls all around and created a selfie point.
• *There is a stapu painted on a floor for kids.
• *An old tyre swing is hanged on a tree which kids really enjoy.
• *Unique planters are created with old Jeans and Toilets seats.
• *A vertical garden is created with plastic bottles painted in tricolor.
• *A string of light is created with big curd boxes as a lamp shade.
• *A very beautiful and unique tanker is created with old tyres and other waste materials.
• *Old cycle rims have been used to create a wall mural.

All these art works are amazing and attracting everyone’s attention. At night, the lane looks very beautiful, with a 40-50-metre string of lights. The tanker is a replica of a military tank, which is a center of attraction for all. This has become a model for all pockets and now everyone is trying to replicate it. We are trying our best to bring our pocket to zero waste as each house in our pocket is segregating waste and most of us are doing home composting. We are also doing community composting in our pocket, and the ready compost is distributed to residents or is used in the parks.

All this is possible with the help of our RWA, MCD, residents and an NGO. Together we can make our society a better place to live in.

Nisha Bhargava

bhargavanisha02@gmail.com

“THE HFS TIMES“

THE TEAM BEHIND

Mrs Rama Tyagi            Director HFS

Mr Som Dutt Tyagi          Advisor                          

Gp Capt Sushil Bhatia     Chief Editor

Ms Vandana Bhatnagar     Editor and Content Provider

Ms Shailja Mishra          Editor and Content Provider

Mr Sandeep Rohilla      Executive & Marketing Editor

Ms Sonia Agrawal          Creative Editor

Mr Devraj Singh             Technical Head