BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

 You always have to create your own path. So take some time today and enjoy nature.

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.
- Audrey Hepburn

Sending you some spring vibes!!! Though it's hot here in North-India but I cannot wait to share this beautiful picture with you all. This is the picture of my courtyard garden. Not only it's green but it's bold and vibrant. It's simple, but it intrigued me the most. I can't get over this palette of the spring colors. I love the vibrant fields with spring flowers and the magnificent banana and guava trees. I think they'll need few more trimmings in coming week. I can't explain you the joy of waking up to these every single morning. I love spending my morning time in the garden with a cup of tea.

As much as I love food, nature is my second biggest passion (and decorating home is my third). Over the years, I've developed true interest in gardening. Earlier my world revolves around social media, movies, job. I was not aware of things that truly matters in life. I'm happy that I recognize the things that values me the most today but I feel it's a learning process.

Where flowers blooms, so does hope.

While talking about flowers, marigolds are the first flowers I remember growing. Not only they are easy to grow, but they are breathtakingly beautiful. They always make you smile. I simply love the fragrance of these! This is a glimpse of our terrace garden. I have planted a lot of marigolds in my courtyard and my terrace garden. It's easy to grow them outdoors but you can also grow them indoors. I always make a beautiful marigold centerpiece and decorate my home.

Some important things to remember before planting a Marigold flower!

• Mostly grown in springs and summers.
• Need bright sunlight and proper watering.
• Generally take about seven weeks from seeds to bloom.
• Seeds can be sowed in pots or raised nursery beds.
• Can be grown in wide range of soils.
• Keep pest away (I always grow them with basil and tomatoes).
• Do not need a lot a fertilizer either.
• Poor soil can also be benefited by adding in the organic granular fertilizer. 
• You just need to prepare the soil by digging down 5-6 inches to loosen it and add the organic granular fertilizer. 

I hope you will be inspired to create your own garden.

Happy Gardening!
Namaste!

HAPPY BAISAKHI

Vaisakhi also known as Baisakhi, is the "harvest festival" celebrated on the 13th and 14th of April according to the solar calendar. This festival marks the beginning of solar new year and harvest season. Farmers celebrate Baisakhi as a "thanksgiving day", and pay tribute to their deity for bringing abundant harvest and prosperity. It's celebrated with lot of joy and enthusiasm in the states of Punjab and Haryana. 

Fairs and cultural programs are the major attraction during the festival. The people of Punjab spend the day, feasting, participating in cultural events and visiting the local Gurudwaras.

During my childhood days, I recall going to Baisakhi fair with my family and friends. From delectable Punjabi cuisine to the foot tapping music, the fair puts up different facets of Punjabi life on display. Group dance, folk music, wrestling bouts were the main attractions of the fair. More excitement was added when big groups use to perform Bhangra. Stalls selling trinkets, colorful beads, bangles, silver jewellery, Punjabi jootis, Phulkari and other local handicrafts make the Baisakhi fair even more colorful and vibrant.

No Indian festival is complete without delicious food and Baisakhi is no exception either. The festival is much loved by the food lovers as the food stalls and counters offers varieties of Indian and Punjabi cuisines.

If you're just hanging at home this Thursday evening, visit these fairs. They are lot of fun. Happy Baisakhi once again. Enjoy the day and relish the best of Punjabi cuisines!!

SIMPLE JOYS!

What a stunning harvest!!! This is my first batch of tomatoes!! I can't thank my garden enough for feeding us with these delicious cherry red tomatoes. No one can beat the taste of a red, ripe tomato straight out of the garden!!!

I got a taste of how refreshing it can be to grow your own fruits and veggies in an era where food has become so processed and devoid of nutrients and flavor. Now that I have some time on my hands, I am setting up an organic fruits and vegetable patch in my garden. I've planted tomatoes, beetroots, eggplants, radishes, peas and spinach seeds in my garden. I'm working on it from last couple of weeks. I just can't wait to share the progress with you all!!

I think my plant is ready for another harvest!! For those who will be heading into Spring, do give it a try!!

Tomatoes are not difficult to grow. They are easy to care and are rich in vitamins A, B and C. You can plant marigold or basil with the tomatoes. Marigolds enhance the growth of tomatoes and it helps to keep bugs away and basil helps in improving the flavor of the fruit.

Growing tomatoes indoors or out is an easy and rewarding experience. I've grown this plant in a big pot on my terrace. If you want to maintain or harvest healthy plants, make sure the soil is properly conditioned. Adding compost and gardening soil is very beneficial. It enhances the fertility of the fruit. Remember to remove the yellow branches and mulch well. Tomatoes need plenty of sunlight and proper watering. Give them the much needed water and provide them with an area that is protected from wind and harsh weather.

So many tomatoes in just two plants, I can't wait for my another harvest!!! I'm amazed by how quickly and easily these tomatoes grow. Don't miss that luscious spinach, so vibrant and so green!!!

I hope you enjoy these pictures and I promise I'll be posting more!!

Have a great weekend and GO ORGANIC!!!