Raising greenery in houses, rooftop gardens, vegetable and flower plantations will relieve people from mental stress. Besides, gardening is a good exercise, say horticulturists.
Green lawns and terrace gardens will help to reduce urban temperatures, prevent pollution, disease and provide fresh vegetables and fruits. Elders in the families should train children in raising gardens, said the officials.
At a training programme organised by the Department of Horticulture in the city recently, horticulture officials and resource persons from Gardens of Abundance explained the importance of greenery in houses.
They taught the participants on raising fruits, medicinal and vegetable plants in the lawns.
Resource person Upendra said that plants can be raised in pots, plastic buckets and polythene bags on the terraces, which will reduce heat. He explained different methods of plantations to the master trainers. “We can use kitchen waste to prepare compost and avoid waste. Compost is a good manure for the plants raised in terrace gardens,” said Mr. Upendra.
Assistant Director (Horticulture) N. Sujatha said the State government has recently introduced a scheme ‘urban farming’ to encourage gardening and rooftop gardening in towns and cities. The government will provide a kit, worth Rs. 3,000 on 50 per cent subsidy.
“The Horticulture Department will provide sand, seed, trellis, rose can, cages, hand sprayer and other material. Mini kits are being supplied in rural areas also to encourage gardening at homes. Vegetables such as brinjal, tomato, ladyfinger, chilli, bitter gourd, ridge gourd and many leafy vegetables can be raised in the gardens,” said the AD. Government is planning to organise a workshop on ‘green houses’ in Vijayawada soon. Horticulture scientists will throw light on raising different fruits, vegetables and flower plantations in lawns, in the programme. Horticulture Department staff will visit colonies and explain about the scheme to encourage rooftop gardens, said Ms. Sujatha.
“People will go for an outing to relax with families. If we raise greenery in our lawns and on the terraces, we can reduce urban warming and maintain good health. Interior decoration with water plants and bonsai is also a good practice,” the AD said.
Green Tree Club member K. Visala, who is raising a rooftop garden at Seetharampuram in the city, said that more than 50 varieties of flowers and bonsai plants were being raised in the garden.
Many people are visiting the garden, which won many prizes in horticulture exhibitions, she said.“I will do gardening regularly and spend some time in the lawns. We don’t buy vegetables and flowers outside and consume fresh vegetables only. Gardening is a good exercise and gives peace of mind. We will bring different varieties of saplings from Kadiyam Nurseries located in East Godavari and other nurseries,” said Ms. Visala.
