Bring the outdoors in
Continued from page 30
Fill each container threequarters with organic container mix. If you are planting from a seed, plant the seed according to the instructions on the packet. A good rule of thumb is to plant a seed twice as deep as its diametre. Plant multiple seeds per container. If you are planting seedlings, dig a hole twice as large as the plant’s roots. Place the roots in the soil, then cover with container mix and a handful of compost.
Compost is best made from household wet waste in home composting bins, many kinds of which are available, from terracotta ones to plastic bucket bins. It’s a learning experience in itself, but one which ensures that your garden receives nothing but the best nutrients.
Fertilise the containers every month or so. Most potting mixes have enough fertiliser in them to feed your plants for up to two months. You can dig a small amount of compost into the container soil or use a commercially available, organic fertiliser.
Water each container to thoroughly soak its soil after planting. Containergrown plants dry out more quickly than in-ground plants, so you might need to water daily. To avoid this problem, and to minimise water wastage in these dry times, it’s best to install a drip irrigation system that delivers water directly to the roots.
Homemaker Aparna George started her gardening journey when she started composting at home to manage and reduce garbage. Once she had this rich and lovely compost, she bought a few pots and started growing her first veggies. Five pots became 10, and soon the terrace was taken over by the kitchen garden. She did face issues — from ensuring that her terrace was properly waterproofed, to learning to manage pests, even squirrels and monkeys! It took a few years to find the right balance of not using much pesticides, even if organic, and just learning to share with these creatures. “Once you get used to growing your own food, you question where the food we buy comes from — How is it produced and how it reaches you? Despite challenges, it is a heady feeling to control that process, and to pluck those fresh veggies and greens just before need arises in the kitchen. This was the biggest reason I have never looked back,” she says with pride.
And that pride in truly enjoying the fruits of one’s labours is what makes terrace gardens such a rewarding experience.
The writer is passionate about art and design, and wants to leave behind a beautiful planet for children. She runs her own interiors firm, Eclatliving Over the past few years, bathrooms have evolved from functional to personal oasis. With rising disposable incomes and greater awareness of global trends, Indian homeowners are now looking at every detail while designing overall spaces. Increasingly, technology has made its way into the bathrooms, aiding health, wellness and grandeur!
Here are a list of must-have products to put the luxe and smart into your luxurious haven of rejuvenation...
INTELLIGENT TOILETS
Nothing speaks luxury like a techsavvy WC! Now, there are high IQ water closets that come with a remote control to cater to all your needs at just the press of a button. These intelligent WCs come with exquisite features like auto post flush, seat heating, twin jet sprays, night light, deodoriser, warm air drying, etc., to make your bathroom experience a high-tech affair. They are also completely hygienic as they reduce touch points.
THERAPEUTIC SHOWERS Showers have always been known to steal the show with their luxurious materials and finishes. But opulence is not just about the look, rather the extra oomph it brings to your life. Thanks to innovation, chromo-therapy showers are the rage, as they use coloured lights, combining this approach with hydrotherapy! Colours radiate light energy through vibrations which strongly influence both body and emotions. The Rain Spa shower is an expert of rejuvenation with seven enchanting colours of LED lights complementing your mood and three different water flow options — Gentle mist, massage and voluminous rainfall, giving a sensual high.
HYDRO MASSAGER What was once a functional fixture in your bathroom, is now potentially an oasis for full-body relaxation. Bathtubs now come equipped with special features like back massage, chromo-therapy, control touch panel, whirlpool hydro massage, anti-odor drainage, water level sensor, etc. Through Hydro-massage you can conveniently incorporate benefits of frequent massage in your everyday life. Amore’s Romance Inamorata is one among many to rejuvenate the senses.