We’ve all heard of organic farming at some point or another, in fact many of us have gone a step ahead (perhaps aeons ago) and taken a solemn vow of permanently shunning the pesticide laden, commercially grown produce altogether. Yet some of us are undecided on what we must consume, because quite frankly everything seems to have one caveat too many, some proven and some controvert.

Either ways you may gravitate, one thing is for certain, the issue of pollutants & pesticides, contaminations of various proportions & dimensions not to mention the life-threatening pathogens and tongue twisting bacterium’s that our bodies are commonly subjected to by way of the food we consume day and night, and you cannot but help and think about the morbid consequences of living an unhealthy lifestyle.

What the millennials are doing about it

Millennials and many new age families have consciously moved away from the excessive trappings of urbanisation having discovered for themselves that while glitzy consumerism is quite enjoyable up to a point, the scales do tip over considerably when it begins to affect the health and wellbeing of loved ones. A case in point being the proliferation of fast food joints/ quick service restaurants and the rising incidences of lifestyle diseases.

This has led to the collective movement of millennials who agree that its just plain better to move back to unpolluted living and being as close to roots as is possible. Growing and cultivating a miniature personal kitchen garden & ensuring that the end-to-end process of production and consumption is untainted and flawless at every step of the way has indeed been one of the best ways of combating the noxious waste we are otherwise forced to put in our mouths.

How where when?

A lot of questions pop up in the head when it comes to developing the simple sounding kitchen garden, especially when the tiny square foot matchbox configurations of urban homes are kept in consideration. This is possibly why most prefer to opt for an independent house standing on a plot of land that is entirely their own, offering the freedom to do as will pleases.

Quite naturally, an independent house built on a plot of land offers not only supreme independence to the owner to design and configure as per his individual requirements but it also allows sufficient space for pursuing of hobbies, entertaining friends in self-owned open spaces and making available ample room for cultivating a personal kitchen garden that can be regularly tended and looked after, carefully lovingly and naturally!!

Planning an organic patch

The best part about planning an organic patch of vegetables/ fruits in your own plot/ kitchen garden is that you might unconsciously be doing a great big favour to the earth, as not only is organic farming considered to be a sustainable form of cultivation but also a highly durable one. The vegetables/ fruits have not been subjected to chemicals and pesticides for quickened development and neither have they been exposed to any form of genetic modifications, so what you sow is what you reap here.

Going about it-

A. Don’t go overboard

It’s always a better idea to begin with baby step when planning your first organic patch. Not only will you learn from your mistakes but you’ll also get a first hand understanding of the growing patterns of certain salads, herbs, vegetables and fruits. Hence, do a small bit of advance research to first find out which types grow exceptionally well in your neighbours garden or local nursery and then make a go for it.

Build your confidence as you go along with each successful batch and develop your garden more and more as time passes. Making a small such patch in your plot should give you enough experience and insight on this.

B. The trick is in the soil

It may be possible that you will want to grow in small pots or vertical hanging boxes, especially since you may be just starting out and don’t feel the need of putting in too much of physical labour into it. Or it may be that you’re a semi-expert, in that you have some working knowledge to keep alive the things growing out of your boxes but not enough to keep them going for long. Either ways, do remember that the secret to growing a healthy and nutritious crop of vegetables/ fruits is in the soil.

The richer it is the better your produce will be. So don’t scrounge on the soil conditioners, earthworm/ cow manure and food waste that can be easily done as DIY projects from the comforts of your own garden. Adding these nutrients to your soil will ensure you get a tastier and healthier crop!

C. Co-llect, llate and share

Farming brings together family and friends not to mention the endless opportunities of ice breaker conversations with like minded gardeners. So when you’re planning your organic garden, do make it a point to collect as much information, collate it with your acquaintances and share the fruits of your labour with neighbours and friends. You’ll be spreading health, happiness and joy to all-Now what can be a better gift than that?