‘Plant what is best for your local ecology’

plant more. I’ve often seen rows of ornamental cabbages, poinsettias and endless chrysanthemums in several homes. But hang on, let’s get mindful.

It’s not only trees that matter. The cities of our times need shrubs, tall grasses, flowers, and plants with seeds that birds can eat off, butterflies can enjoy and insects can flourish in.

And these are disappearing as more and more people keep sterile ornamental plants for their symmetry and beauty on cemented surfaces.

Everyone can act on this need. For example, if your lawn doesn’t get any sun, don’t force grass on it.

Spread out compost, dig the soil a few inches and let it be. See what grows, and in a while, you will have a wild patch. This is what you should stick with.

Even with sun, can you make a small wild patch in one corner? If you use the garden, let the patch be limited. What about a few ears of bajra-it doesn’t have to belong only in vast fields. Infact, even in flower- beds, it is worth considering putting both flowers and seed bearing plants.

I had even say put hedges so in the summer, birds have nesting spots.

And for sure, do what is ecologically best for your local ecology.

Share your patch of green with other creatures, many of whom are getting displaced by what we plant and what we ignore.