Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

For Blooming Homes

It is said that a building takes the character of home through the presence of certain attributes, both physical and abstract. While the abstract attributes like love, caring, sharing and compassion in family members have an important place in making a home a dream home, these can be enhanced through some physical ones. A home garden could be one such. A garden with blooming plants can serve to increase oxygenation and thereby contribute to the better health of the home and its family members.

Creating and maintaining a well laid garden is no easy task; it calls for dedicated and patient effort. Garden enthusiasts note that the resultant spread of brilliant colours in one's dream home is well worth the effort and time. Rearing of the plants is also a fruitful and pleasurable pastime. Attending to and tendering to the garden is a healthy way to start the day. The family can also come together for a joyful evening, in the company of plants.

With creativity and thought, it is now possible to create an attractive garden even in a small plot of plant. Before starting work on the dream garden, an understanding of the soil type would be worthwhile for it governs the pattern of watering required and helps to decide the right plants. There are various types of soil, including sandy soil, clay soil and loamy soil.

Generally, the ideal time to water the plants is either in the early mornings or in the evenings. To ensure that the garden is bright and blooming the year through, an understanding of the various plant types is also essential.

There are plants of different types, annuals, biennials, perennials, shrubs, creepers, climbers etc., to name some. Annuals are plants that live for one year. Asters, balsams and marigolds are some of the common annual plants. A plant that lasts for two years is called a biennial. Perennials like Anthuriums take at least two years to bloom. Annuals are recommended for those interested in trying out different garden layouts. While perennials require no replanting year after year, they do not allow for frequent changing of the garden layout. Creepers like Passiflora make attractive cover over compound walls or gate arches.

While plants naturally thrive best in certain soil types and climates, application of fertilizers is also needed for the healthy growth of plants. Fertilizers provide the necessary nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Along with fertilizers, application of pesticides and insecticides are necessary for maintaining plant health. While chemical insecticides carry the risk of causing harm even to the beneficial insects, there are available non-chemical alternatives. The interval and method of applying fertilizers and pesticides can be decided in keeping with the health and type of the plants in your garden.

Those yearning to have a garden in one's dream home but lack space can opt for growing plants in pots. Depending on the availability of space and sunlight, one can also go in for a vegetable garden.

Rema Sundar

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