Things That Bang

Greed is never good but unfortunately nature's bounty always has something enticing to offer that a gardener must have. In my last article I had talked about some plants that I wanted but couldn't get in Bangalore. As it happens there is a nursery, the Krishnendra Nursery in Jayanagar on that little road none but the most ardent gardeners know of, Lalbagh-Siddapura, that had two of the young trees that I wanted - Magnolia Pumila and Magnolia Grandiflora. This nursery has a great website too, with an exhaustive catalogue and directions.

I wanted them both but then decided to take two Magnolia Pumila, one tree of sweet lime, some treasure flowers and ornamental grass.

There still are plants waiting to be planted and soil that needs to be weeded, dug up, replenished and seedlings to be taken care of. And I basically added more stuff in the queue.

Since I have a lot of plants in containers, watering them is also a chore I have no way of shirking. When it pours I thank the gods for taking the chore of my hands if only for a day or two. But then again its back to toiling for over an hour every day.

One can never be done with a garden since its forever evolving. A friend of mine in the US used to devote her Sundays to gardening. Initially I couldn't understand her obsession but then again the love of soil soon enough pulled me down and made my roots earth bound.

Sometimes I even find myself apologizing to a wilted plant. But then again I'm not the only gardener who feels guilt if a plant dies of neglect.

Gardening takes us back to nature and I think I am ready to now try my hand at growing vegetables. Flowers look good and balm the soul but its the vegetables through which we really reap what we sow.

Next week I will prepare a small plot to grow tomatoes, aubergines and gourd and will blog about my efforts.