Gardening for All !

Often people who appreciate plants and green spaces do not venture into gardening as they have their reservations. These could be time limitation, watering routine as a responsibility, soil being a messy job, space constraints, brown thumb label, wanting to grow food only, etc. Added to these limitations there is a new term used for gardeners 'plant parent', that makes it sound loaded with responsibilities. I feel plants can be companions and can be companions who coexist as well. You need to enjoy their company. They are capable of taking care of themselves; they just need a favourite spot like you have chosen one for yourself at home.

We all have different personalities with different preferences and should take the time to choose accordingly. One just needs to make a green start. We all know the benefits of gardening from meeting food needs to being therapeutic and its air-purifying capability so we shall not be getting into the advantages. Let see which plants or gardening techniques help you start while keeping you at ease.

For ones who are challenged for watering, either constrained of time or frequently travelling.  People with this issue can choose plants with less frequent watering like cactus, succulents, jades, or rather plant them in water only eg. Money plants, Arrowhead, varieties of Philodendron, lucky bamboo, Chinese evergreen, Wandering jew, dwarf Water lettuce, and many more. One has to only keep a bottle or bowl of water for these plants to thrive. Do change the water anywhere between 10-15 days.  If you still like potted plants then you can consider water systems like a self-watering planted, automated drip, all available easily online at small costs.

People in Apartment with space constraints, low light, etc: Here one could look out for low light or indoor plants that can be indoors on the floor or vertical gardens, hanging gardens, plants on a desktop, windowsill, where ever possible. Examples of such plants are all those plants that grow in water mentioned above including ones with soil as a medium like ZZ plant, Rubber plant, Monstera, all varieties of Snake plants, Spider plant, Areca palm, Ferns* Anthurium* Peace Lilly* etc. (*Need less but frequent watering)

People who feel they have a brown thumb: I would start by buying plants that require less water are fully grown these will be more resilient plants to start with. Make sure they are in a sufficiently big planter won't need repotting for a while and has fresh soil when you get it home. Eg. Rubber plant, Snake plants, Areca Palm, Lantana, Spider plants, Jade.

Farmer locked in an apartment: For people who feel gardening should have nutritional rewards can opt for sprouting and growing micro greens, they are very rewarding can be harvested as early as 10-15 days after 4-6 leaves have arrived need minimal space, light and time commitment. Also can growing herbs like mint, spinach, basil, coriander, fenugreek for tea, salads, sandwiches etc. Some fruit plants can grow in 12 X 12 grow bags too like papaya, lemon, guava and custard apple.

The above are just a few examples for triggering thought to get around one's limitations and plan their very own garden. To add further you can meet your plants' nutritional needs with these small steps easily. While you snack or sip your tea or coffee do share it with your plant companion. Use banana peels, tea/coffee grinds are a source of nutrients to plants. You may add little washed and dried ground tea leaves even banana peels to your potted plants and sees them thrive. Let us all have our green companion!