Keen to start your home garden in Mumbai? This handbook has you covered

Those who grow bhindi and baigan in their balconies can tell you how therapeutic gardening can be ldquoA lsquoyieldingrsquo hobby mdash even for those with busy schedules or space constraints Itrsquos possible to learn of practical solutions to create and sustain a lowmaintenance kitchen garden and discover the joys of growing fresh chemicalfree foodrdquo says Vinita Sakpal resident nutritionist The Yoga Institute SantacruzUse raised beds or containers to create community gardensThe institute will be conducting a workshop on kitchen gardening today since September is observed as National Nutrition Month From selecting the right plants soil and containers to addressing common gardening problems mdash the session promises to be informative and will inspire you to grow your greens Keen to start your home garden The Guidersquos handbook for every type of Mumbaikar has you green coveredFor the timestrappedResident nutritionist of The Yoga Institute Priyanka Kumar says ldquoStart small by choosing nobrainer lowmaintenance plants such as tomatoes green beans and spinach To save space grow them in earthen or plastic pots old plastic bottles or tetra boxes to control growth Raised beds with organic compost ensure that you donrsquot have to repeatedly prep the soil and selfwatering systems while mulching provides a steady supply of moisture to the roots mdash this means less stress over watering the plant Automatic timers are a suitable option toordquo She recommends growing herbs alongside flowers to repel pests naturally and to group pots according to their water and sunlight requirements ldquoIt makes your job easierrdquo she says adding ldquoSlowrelease or organic fertilisers ensures natural growth So yoursquoll need only a few minutes on Sundays for routine pruning and removing dead or diseased leavesrdquoBrinjal in a pot right Capsicum in a potFor the veggie fanSakpal says ldquoIn Mumbai which is a coastal city with a tropical climate choosing the right vegetables for your garden involves careful consideration of the local conditions Mumbai experiences distinct wet and dry seasons so select vegetables that thrive in warm humid weather and are appropriate for the current season Given the heavy rainfall opt for monsoonresistant varieties like okra bitter gourd and fenugreek to prevent rot and fungal diseases Mumbairsquos hot and muggy summers call for heattolerant vegetables such as eggplant chilli peppers and sweet potatoes Exploring local and indigenous varieties like bottle gourd and ridge gourd can yield unique flavours adapted to the climate Improve soil quality with organic matter to address the cityrsquos varying sandy or clayey soil Use companion planting and crop rotation techniques for natural pest control and soil healthrdquo she says adding ldquoEnsure that you harvest at the right time for optimal flavour and quality Seek guidance from local gardening resources like clubs nurseries and experienced gardeners and donrsquot hesitate to experiment with different vegetables and techniques to tailor your garden to Mumbairsquos unique conditionsrdquoFor the spacestarvedMercy DrsquoCruz resident nutritionist at the institute says ldquoBringing a touch of nature into your Mumbai home mdash even when space is at a premium mdash is easy with container gardening in pots hanging baskets or vertical garden systems Wallmounted shelves or grids that hold pocket wall planters or repurposed shoe organisers can hold coriander parsley mint basil small vegetables such as cherry tomatoes pepper cucumber or trailing plants like ivy however they need care Herbs like coriander basil thyme and mint require very little direct exposure to sunlight but for veggies that require direct sunlight and if your place doesnrsquot get much of it opt for LED grow lights as a substitute Convert windowsills into miniature gardens by affixing containers to the ledgesrdquo DrsquoCruz recommends starting a community garden in your housing society or on the common terrace using raised beds or containersVeggies that suit Mumbai weathergtgt Ladiesrsquo fingersgtgt Bitter gourdgtgt Fenugreekgtgt Eggplantgtgt Chili peppersgtgt Sweet potatoesgtgt Tomatoes gtgt Spinachgtgt Cucumbers gtgt Laukigtgt Turai gtgt Coriandergtgt Mint gtgt Curry leavesgtgt Lettucegtgt Radishesgtgt Green beansRule of the green thumbgtgt Water your plants and nourish them appropriately with organic fertilisersgtgt Ensure good drainage and appropriate sunlight exposuregtgt Provide optimal support for vining plantsgtgt Turn leftovers into healthy soil through compostingOn Today 10 am to 1230 pmAt The Yoga Institute Shri Yogendra Marg Prabhat Colony Santacruz East and onlineLog on to wwwtheyogainstituteorg to registerEntry Prior registration to the event is mandatory