Bindu CK, a chemistry teacher from Ayamanam in Kottayam district, Kerala, has achieved something extraordinary on her 74 square metre terrace. In this relatively small space, she has grown around 100 varieties of vegetables and 60 types of fruit trees, many of them exotic. Her approach to farming is not just a hobby, but a deep passion which she combines with her knowledge in chemistry to keep her garden completely organic.
Transforming the terrace into an oasis of vegetables and fruits
When Bindu and her family moved into their new home, the idea of transforming the terrace into a productive garden became her priority. Even though her previous house had a tiled roof that did not allow for this type of cultivation, in her new home she found the perfect place to experiment with urban agriculture. She decided to use the terrace, not only because it was more convenient to care for the plants, but also because she believed it would produce a better harvest due to the sun exposure and irrigation control.
In her garden are a variety of vegetables such as tomato, eggplant, cauliflower, chillies, spinach, salad cucumber, carrot, beans, beetroot and okra. Within these categories, Bindu has diversified greatly, growing ten varieties of chillies including capsicum, violet chilli, ujwala chilli, bajji chilli, and black chilli, as well as five types of bird’s eye chillies. She also has eight types of eggplant, seven types of spinach and four types of okra. In addition, she has experimented with exotic vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, bok choy and kale, showing her ability to adapt to crops less common in the region.
Growing exotic fruits in a warm climate
Bindu’s garden is not limited to just vegetables; she has also managed to grow an impressive variety of fruit trees. These include exotic species such as lilly pilly, Australian beach cherry, jaboticaba (Brazilian grape tree), jungle jalebi, Israeli fig, longan and more. In addition, she grows fruits such as orange, strawberries, dragon fruit, carambola, different types of guava, custard apple, cherries and mango.
It is remarkable that he has been able to grow fruits like oranges and strawberries, which generally require cooler climates. Bindu attributes his success to experimenting with hybrid varieties of oranges, which have adapted well to the warm climate of Kerala.
Application of chemical knowledge in organic agriculture
As a chemistry teacher, Bindu uses her knowledge to create her own organic fertilizers and pesticides. To feed her plants, she prepares an organic mixture made from bone meal, peanut cake, and a little brown sugar. This mixture is fermented, diluted, and applied to the plants weekly or every ten days. In addition, to control pests, she uses a solution of neem oil, soap, and vinegar or baking soda, which she applies to the plants as needed.
An example of sustainability and education
Bindu’s garden not only provides her family with chemical-free food, but has also inspired many others. Through her YouTube channel, ‘Chilli Jasmine’, Bindu shares her knowledge and tips on how to maintain a rooftop garden. Her dedication to organic farming and her desire to share her experience make her a shining example of how urban farming can contribute to sustainability and self-sufficiency.
Bindu CK demonstrates that with passion and knowledge, it is possible to transform even a small urban space into a rich and diverse source of healthy food, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices and educating others in the process.
You can watch his videos on his Youtube channel: @ChilliJasmine
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