Space constraint is no worry for this Phagwara-based trader

Tribune News Service

Phagwara, January 10

Sanjeev Kumar Chaucer (56), a Phagwara-based trader, had his moment of inspiration when he saw actor Dharmendra sweating it out in the fields, despite being in his eighties. Besides, the desire to consume pure and organic food further drove him to turn his terrace into a kitchen garden. A visit to his kitchen garden in the Urban Estate residence, is likely to leave one mesmerised and the aroma of fresh and naturally-grown vegetables is sure to please ones senses.

“Lockdown has taught everyone a lot. It inspired me to spend some moments with the soil,” Sanjeev said, adding that gardening to him is now like meditation and after returning from his work every day, he dedicates nearly two hours growing his own seasonal vegetables and fruits.

He said earlier, he was confused from where to begin. He had no knowledge of gardening and cultivation. “But thanks to YouTube videos and bloggers and some of my friends from the Agriculture Department, I easily managed to get started and then there was no looking back,” he said.

Giving some tips, he said, cow manure and simple mud has many advantages that even chemical fertilisers don’t possess. Besides, the waste generated from the household can effectively be converted to compost.

Sanjeev said while others consume paranthas, cornflakes and other things in their breakfast, he and his family consumes sandwiches made of spinach, broccoli and other vegetables grown in their own garden.

“While the process of cultivation and cost of seeds of both cauliflower and broccoli is very much the same, both vegetables are being sold in the market at different prices, with cauliflower for Rs 30 or 40/kg and broccoli for a whopping Rs 130/kg”, he said, adding that’s the another reason why he feels that growing veggies at home is far safer than what you buy from outside.

Sanjeev, meanwhile, said the list of what he and his wife cultivate in their garden was exhaustive. “We cultivate almost all varieties of vegetables, fruits and other plants like fig, spinach, carrot, radish, cauliflower, lettuce, broccoli, brinjal, Okra, etc, to fruits like tomato, guava, lemon, avocado, Sugar-apple etc”.

“Not just this, one also gets mesmerised on seeing flowers such as roses, lilies, bougainvillea, marigold that festoon the rooftop,” he added. He further said there is a regular gardener, who visits and looks after the garden and water the plants, but the cultivation parts he manages himself without anyone’s help.

“There is a lot of positivity in this area of my house. I, along with my children and wife, spend quality time here enjoying the greenery, beautiful chirping of the birds, blowing winds and colourful flowers”, he added.

He also said all those people looking to invest in their own self must opt gardening as it soothes both the mind and soul of a person and that it’s one of the best ways to relax and feel peaceful.