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Growing your own veggies, spices, greens & fruits

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Bright-coloured spices & fruits among lush veggies and greens. Now isn’t that a lovely sight! It truly fascinates me how a fully-grown plant starts off as a tiny seedling and then goes onto produce food for us for months on end.
I took up planting back in January 2016 and I started off with one of the easiest plants to grow from seeds – chili. I had three pots into which I sprinkled some seeds and three months later I had my own chilis fresh off the tree.

Fresh & Yours

There’s no better feeling than to harvest your own food. Knowing that you have not used any pesticides or chemicals on them makes you feel even better. Just like us humans, plants need love and attention. You need to water them sufficiently. Once in the morning and once in the evening is more than enough during bright sunny days.

All you need is some space. If you don’t have a big garden, that’s okay. Start small. Get some flower pots or better yet recycle some plastic containers and convert them into makeshift pots. The possibilities are endless.

Nature provides 

For starters, you may dig up some soil from your garden or if that’s not an option, you can buy some soil mix from a roadside flower shop. However, all my plants have relied on home soil and leaf rot. Leaf rot creates a nice blackish layer that gets mixed with soil and creates the ideal conditions for worms and other critters who work tirelessly to make the soil rich in nutrients etc.

Teeming with life

I utilized space on the rooftop of my place to accommodate over 15 medium-sized pots. Remember, I started with only 3. Now I am a proud “farmer” of Cabbage, Bell pepper, Chili, Tomato, Mulberry, KungKun, Okra, and Kathurumurunga.

 These plants not only add a fresh look to your surrounding, but they also provide fresh produce for you. The insect life around these plants is incredible! Hundreds of insects have now found food and work as well. They are definitely not hindered by COVID-19! 😁

The Bigger Picture

I have a sense of satisfaction when I think about the fact that my plants not only help me, but it helps insects, birds, and even monkeys and squirrels passing by. After all, nature belongs to all of its inhabitants, not just humans!

Are You a Green Warrior?

By growing your own food (at least part of it) you are not only becoming healthier, but also acting as an integral part of the green revolution that this world so badly needs. Thereby contributing towards sustainability and hopefully inspiring more people to do what you do. 
Just imagine the impact we could make together! 💪🏼 🌲 😊

Do share this article if you enjoyed it & do follow my blog  😊

Mahen Brendon Makalande
Sri Lanka




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