For you and me, a used empty plastic bottle might be a waste but for Sadhan Radhakrishnan, it is an opportunity. One more plastic bottle to grow one more plant and beautify his lane in Mahalakshmipuram Layout. Two hundred and fifty bottles and still counting. In these bottles grow ornamental crotons, geraniums, hibiscus, lilies, orchids, tomatoes, spinach and different kinds of herbs like coriander, mint, basil, ajwain etc. “But the yield is not much because it is growing in a small space,” clarifies the young gardener, who has been approached by the local Corporator to replicate the idea to other places in the areas.
Born in Mumbai to parents who were avid gardeners, Sadhan grew up with a love for plants. In Mumbai, he grew plants in his four balconies but shifting to Bengaluru six years ago, he found himself in a rented ground floor space. And he had an idea! To cut the waste plastic bottles, grow plants in them and hang it around trees. “And nobody is complaining. The house is little cooler and beautiful so the landlord is also happy. Plus, they are low maintenance. They need to be watered once in two days with a sprinkler,” explains Sadhan. Working in an e-commerce company, Sadhan only has weekends to pursue his passion.
Sadhan feels it is an economical way of gardening. He picks up empty plastic bottles lying on the road or his neighbours and friends give it to him. He makes his own compost with soil, coconut fibre, vegetable peels and eggs. “I pick up cow dung from the road after it has dried and put it in my plants. I don’t spend a single rupee. Even the water sprinklers are made at home. And these plastic bottles which would have never decomposed, gets used instead of harming our environment.”
In the flowering season, the sight of the blooming flowers all over is a sheer delight. “Because it looks so beautiful, people in the lane also try and keep their surroundings clean. They are excited and come and ask me how to do it.”
In our shrinking concrete cities, vertical gardening could be a good alternative to keep tiny patches of greenery around.
Bengaluru has a large community of knowledgeable gardeners and Sadhan attends these meets to exchange notes. “We also exchange saplings and seeds with other gardeners to add variety to our gardens. Even neighbours ask me if they can take a plant and I am more than happy to give but the only condition is that it should be taken care of and if they have another interesting plant to share. At times, people take it without even asking me but I don’t mind. It would be beautifying some other space.”
Sadhan is also experimenting with thermocol boxes and coconut shells. “When I saw coconut shells breeding mosquitoes, I thought of putting it to good use. So, I started to grow plants in them as well. I make small holes in the shell. Thermocol is at the last stage of degradation. It doesn’t degrade after that so it is better to use it as a pot rather than letting it release toxins in our environment. So, the plants which have bigger roots are grown inside these boxes.” Another benefit of these gardens is to prevent traditional plants and food from disappearing. “If you have an a small injury, apply aloe vera gel and it will heal really fast. If you have a stomach ache, have ajwain and see the result.”
