Retiree finds happiness in plants
Growing greens and fruits brings joy to 76-year-old and his neighbours
GEORGE TOWN: Septuagenarian Hung Bak Hoo found out that he has green fingers not too long ago.
Since then, he has been spending his time pottering in the garden and can turn any empty space into a green sanctuary.
The 76-year-old retiree, who started gardening two years ago, is proud that his humble but lively garden is filled with over 30 types of fruits and vegetables.
Around his terrace house in Tingkat Permai, Gelugor, Hung’s garden is filled with plants such as aloe, banana, bittergourd, chilli, ginger, turmeric, melon, papaya, jackfruit (nangka) and long beans.
“I plant them right outside my house as I have the space and I love seeing lush, green leaves and colourful fruits fill up the empty space.
“Fruits and vegetables give instant colour to our surroundings, and the process is very fulfilling and entertaining.
“I got into gardening by accident, and I fell in love with it.
“From sowing the seeds and watering the plants to tending to flowers and fruit trees, everything is a joy for me,” he said when met at his house on Monday.
Hung, whose love for gardening is widely known among his neighbours and friends, would often share his harvest of fruits and vegetables with them.
“My neighbours here know about my garden, and all of them support me,” he said.
“Many of them even took up gardening with me, while others turn up to help me tend the plot.
“I always share fruits like nangka and papaya with them, along with vegetables like chilli, turmeric and ginger.
“Some would come for the aloe and pandan leaves as well,” Hung said.
“As such, I leave a pair of scissors and some plastic bags by the gate. It is for my neighbours and for those who come by to snip and take whatever they want to use.
“Others would come to ask for starter pots so that they can plant whatever they fancy,” he added.
Hung said that while his own gardening experience involved trials and errors, his friends and neighbours would often seek his help to plant vegetables.
“They always tell me that I am good at gardening, because whatever I plant grows but if they sow seeds, theirs do not grow sometimes.
“So, I normally plant different vegetables and leave them in starter pots to share them with my neighbours and friends.
“I find joy in gardening and as long as I am around people who share a similar passion or want to exchange ideas on gardening, I am happy,” he said.