Two months ago, the eastern side of a Corporation park on Seventh Main Road, R. A. Puram, was overgrown with weeds and bushes. Had it not been for Sangeetha Saravanan’s proposal to cultivate a community vegetable garden there, the park would have continued to be in such a derelict state.
“Raja Annamalaipuram Residents’ Association (RAPRA) members welcomed the proposal. We were inspired by urban horticulture, which appears to have inspired many homemakers to take up home and kitchen gardening,” said Dr. R. Chandrasekaran, founder-patron, RAPRA.
“We conveyed the proposal to Mayor Saidai Duraisamy and other officials who offered their unstinted support.” At present, saplings of brinjal, tomato, chillies, cluster beans and ladies finger are cultivated at the garden. The saplings are watered regularly and taken good care of.
Sangeetha Saravanan, programme co-ordinator, Garden Group Gathering, RAPRA, says, “Apart from a community vegetable garden, it provides a platform for us to discuss issues relating to environment and gardening. The State government is promoting kitchen gardening at subsidy rates. The resources and data bases can be sourced from the community garden. This (vegetable garden) will be a model for people to cultivate a home garden in their houses.”
Awareness has been created this way. Interested residents welfare associations can contact RAPRA. Members thanked the Corporation for providing cow dung manure and red soil for free.
Many birds visit the park. The civic body has promised to provide a sump and a well for watering the plants, RAPRA members said.
Plans are in the pipeline to cultivate herbal and fruits gardens and introduce honey bee farming.
For details, contact Dr. R. Chandrasekaran at 9841030040 or Sangeetha Saravanan at 9382634871.
