By Florine Roche

Mangaluru, Jan 27: At a time when food scarcity is staring at us and when most people are finding it difficult to beat soaring prices of food grains and skyrocketing costs of vegetables, G P Shenoy and his wife Vijayamala Shenoy are happily reaping what they have sown. They are happy because they don’t feel the pinch of inflation as much as others do, it keeps them healthy, a good hobby and pass time and it is a fun way to be with the plants and in the lap of nature. Also, it must be truly a doubly enjoyable experience to grow and consume healthy, organic, fresh and sweet produce of your own garden.

At the end of the day what matters most is the happiness which money can’t buy. "We are able to grow nearly 99 per cent of our requirements of vegetables and fruits and we are almost self sufficient” says an ecstatic G P Shenoy, as he shows me a bunch dark pink wax apples (Malaysian apple) grown in his terrace garden. The Shenoy couple must be thanking their stars for the multiple benefits they have been able to reap because of their hobby. Apart from the joy of growing fresh fruits and vegetables the terrace garden keeps them occupied, active and healthy. "It is quite relaxing to be in the garden and to see and talk to our plants. We both look forward to our visits to the garden in the morning and evening," G P Shenoy declares.

Astounding Variety

As he takes me through his terrace garden in his home located in the heart of the city in Pinto’s Lane, Opp Vinaya Hospital, I am astounded to find myself amidst more than 55 varieties of fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers and trees. As I stride around the terrace garden I could spot long beans red variety (Alasande) plant which is in full bloom and is attractive with its dark green hue.

Armenian cucumber plant

Banaras Paan

Bunch of lemons

Chakotha

Colocosia

Hog plum and tomatoes

Long beans (alasande)

Brinjal

Pink Malaysian apple

Pineapple

Pudina

Sri Lankan Brahmi on ground

Sri Lankan Brahmi

Sugarcane in terrace garden

Sweet potato

Tamarind in terrace garden

The garden is teeming with varieties of Lady’s finger and brijnal plants and the crop is secured with plastic to protect from birds. The chakotha tree has a tender fruit in it. 

A bunch of dark green lemon, the Averrhoa bilimbi (bimbli in colloquial language) and Bombay gooseberry plants which almost look alike, tomato plant with a bunch of about to ripen fruits, chillies, pudina pot filled with nothing but dark green leaves, brinjal, sweet tamarind plant, Birinda (Kokum) sweet potatoe, sugarcane, Brazilian grape plant, brahmi of different verities, grafted mango trees, Armenian cucumber plant which yields 5 feet long cucumbers, red and green leafy vegetables, pomegranate, Kilo gauva tree (each fruit nearing one kag weight), hog plums (ambade) white jambul tree, sugarcane, Thojank and varieties of brahmi are some of the vegetables, fruits and plants the Shenoy family has cultivated in its terrace garden.

Shenoy also shows me the Mamia tree which he grew from the seed of the fruit brought from America, given to him by his friend. Mamia is a mango like fruit and Shenoy is confident that the plant will bear fruit in the near future. My attention is also drawn to the wide leafed Brahmi plants which are said to be Srilankan and Australian variety. Shenoy plucks a leaf from each pot and asks me to taste and tell the difference. The Srilankan variety tasted was bitter/pungent just like the Indian variety whereas the Australian variety was sweetish. Banaras paan plant also forms a part of his rich collection.

G P Shenoy further explains that the 5 different varieties of Brinjal and muttu gulla plants he has are more than 5 years old and they have been yielding all these years. The secret is that he brought the wild brinjal plant that is found in and then grafted it with locally grown brinjal plants. The fusion has given wonderful results and the plants continue to yield crop even after 5 years. Even terrace space is not an impediment for the couple because the adjacent house belongs to their children and that has come in handy for them to expand their collection of vegetable and fruit plants.

Rewards for Labour

G P Shenoy, 78, a retired bank employee took to terrace gardening after his retirement. After retirement it took him two years to prepare the necessary groundwork required to start terrace gardening. G P Shenoy, who knew nothing about agriculture or farms got interested in the field when he was sent for a three month long training to Chickmagalur by his bank as he was in charge of providing farm loans. The training gave him an insight about agriculture and farming and he was bitten by the bug of agriculture as he had to deal very closely with farmers and what they produced.

When it comes to practicality space being a constraint in the city, the couple decided to opt for terrace gardening and today they are delighted to see their hard work bearing rich rewards.

Pathrode being a favourite among GSB’s I could trace many pots of variety of Pathrode leaves (colocasia leaves) arranged in a long line and it was like a treat to the eyes to the green leaves of 4 varieties of Colocasia. Needless to say I also spotted another favourite vegetable plant of GSB’s Teasel Gourd (Wild Bitter Melon) known as kaat peere in Tulu language.

The couple is also trying to grow Cauliflower but face problems from birds and squirrels. The plants which are just coming up are covered with black garden fabric to prevent birds and squirrels from eating its tender leaves. . Showing a pot that has yielded chillies Shenoy says "I have kept that pot in the far corner to prevent it from the onslaught of birds”. He uses homemade spray to get rid of pesticides. As for manure, "all the waste generated in the two homes is put together to compost and we get organic manure. We segregate and perishable waste and then allow it to compost in the underground tank," Vijayamala explains.

I was also happy seeing a small fully flowered Mango tree. Shenoy tells me it is a Badami Mango tree grafted with Kalapady and Philippine Mangoe variety. The garden also has a dwarf variety of Banni tree which is sacred to the Hindus because it is believed that when the Pandavas had to spend one year incognito during their 14 year vanvas they had hidden their weapons in the tree to hide their identity.

Shenoy says those interested in terrace gardening must first ensure they have a leek proof terrace. "When I built my house I had told my contractor to provide a leak proof terrace and for ten years I did not have any problem. Constructing a slightly gradient terrace also is helpful as there will not be water retention," says Shenoy giving tips to wannabe terrace gardeners. On an average the couple spends half hour in the morning and an hour in the evening daily in the upkeep of the garden. "Watering plants in terrace gardening is crucial especially in summer to keep the plant healthy” says Vijayamala.

Happy and Healthy

The Shenoy couple also has enough space around their homes and one can see only green trees and plants in and around. Papaya tree, varieties of Malaysian apple trees, drumstick tree that yields metre long drum sticks, custard apple, varieties of banana trees, coconut trees, varieties of creepers, climbers, vines, edible bamboo, Rama Phala, Seetha Phala, Sambrani and much more.

However, if you think terrace gardening is very profitable then you are mistaken. Taking care of plants, watering, leak proof roof, using manure, investment in pots, bags, bringing seeds, plants, etc, incurs money. But there is nothing that equals the joy of growing your own produce and in the process one might be able cut down the expenses to some extent.

G P Shenoy is active in spreading knowledge about terrace gardening and he is often invited by people institutions to talk about terrace gardening.

To overcome food shortage, beat soaring prices of vegetables to keep yourself hale, healthy and active and enjoy growing, consuming organically grown fresh fruits and to manage home generated waste effectively terrace gardening is certainly an option that people can think of.

G P Shenoy can be contacted on 0824-2491188.