Patch of green, neighbour’s envy, owner’s pride

the main requirement of copious water supply for gardening was met with a not-so-deep borewell.

Meanwhile, people indulged in the guessing game. Will it be yet another mall? A high-rise residential development? The clearing attracted children, who got busy fixing stumps to play cricket, and poles for shuttle and throw ball. The street parking woes eased a bit. Vegetable and fruit vendors parked their carts for brisk business. Clothes pressing arrangements cropped up, until we marked the area for a compound wall, said our neighbour. Today, the proud owner’s green patch is in the teens and full of life.

Nonetheless, no garden is without peccadillos — a dry patch here, a frayed creeper there, parasites, broken pathways, weeds and such things. Grow your veggies is easier said than done, was our friend’s opinion. Yet birds, bees and butterflies have a rollicking time zooming in and out. Though no exotic plants and flowers are focused upon, the regular jasmine, rose, night queen shrub, varieties of hibiscus, cannas, davana along with basil, thyme and Indian Borage spread their fragrance.

While May flowers bloom on time to herald the summer, the X’mas glory of the Poinsettia adds a rich winter red. Crossandra or Kanakambaram multiplies on its own adding a bright orange hue. The perennials that bloom after the first showers require minimum maintenance and fill suitable corners throughout the year.

A small patch of lawn for morning yoga makes my day, adds the owner. She has a good suggestion, though. To regain the name of Garden City from Garbage City, such private efforts should be recognised with better incentives for more and more people to channelise their efforts in greening the city.

Her heart sinks if the gardener skips his weekly visit, a man whose role she certainly acknowledges in keeping her oasis blooming. “Neighbour’s envy?” I ask. Shrugging her shoulders, pat comes her reply, “Owner’s pride.”

GARDENS TAKE A MINIMUM OF 10 YEARS TO COME TO FORM. PASSION, LOVE AND CARE ARE THE PREREQUISITES