Grow Your Own, Own Your Grow.

If there’s anything that the farm-to-table movement makes us realize, it’s that life really comes full circle. From childhood days when our food was served fresh by our mothers or grandmothers, we moved into a decade or two of ready-to-eat dinners………. Only to realize that the journey from packaging to table will never benefit one as much as the journey from farm to table.

While many of us buy organic these days, a few intrepid ones actually grow their own vegetables and herbs to ensure freshness. However, if you are an urban dweller, it’s unlikely that you will be able to grow heaps of vegetables.

You can however, mitigate the effects of harmful pesticides that raw vegetables seem to come with, by creating a little kitchen garden of your own. Instead of the all or nothing approach- where you feel that the problem of pesticides in food is too big to tackle via a few potted plants – why not try the incremental gains approach where even a little goes a long way in ensuring your health.

The phrase ‘kitchen garden ‘is, of course, relative. It depends on whether your kitchen lends itself naturally to a space where the sun shines the strongest and the longest. Also, ensure the soil drains properly on the spot.

New gardens, start slowly, get your neighborhood “Mali”, to give you some advice on the right kind of nourishment your green spot needs, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Green thumbs are built over time

TULSI OR HOLY-BASIL-

Many families in India already grow this. Brimming with fantastic medicinal properties, this holy herb is a great source of vitamin K, helps combat cancer, maintains hormonal balance and even battles acne.

PUDINA OR MINT-

In addition to its known role in helping with digestion and nausea, mint leaves help with decongestion of the nose, throat and lungs, which aids people with asthma and respiratory disorders.

DHANIA OR CORIANDER-

A magnificent source of dietary fiber, iron, magnesium and manganese, dahlia is rich in immunity boosting vitamin C, as well as vitamin K and protein. It also contains – in small measure- potassium, phosphorus, calcium and carotene, among other nutrients.

KADI PATTA OR CURRY LEAF-

Packed with vitamins C, B, A, and E, the humble kadi patta can actually boast of fiber, calcium and other nutrients.  Kitchen gardens are also pleasing to the eye. And you’ll never wonder about the freshness of these herbs if the person in charge of their freshness is you.

 

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