Blog marathon time again! Post 1: Organic terrace Gardening

Every year I do a blog-marathon. What this means is that there will be a new post every single day, for the next 30 days. It may be a poem, a picture, a recipe, a thought, a musing, an incident--just anything that strikes me as worth sharing, but a new post it shall be.

I started this in 2009 and so have completed five blog marathons so far! It is definitely not easy. Some days, one just doesn't want to post on the blog. But like all marathons---persistence and effort is what gets you to the end post---in my case, the end being 28th August 2014.

The challenge here is to post every single day, no matter what is happening in your life. For me, I have my mom and her sister visiting me soon and I really look forward to it. I also have my husband's side of the family visiting and so it's going to be a busy busy time. This is in between working on my 6th book (yes! It's nearly done!) and in between my newspaper columns.

Of course, as always, you--the ones who read my blog--have been very kind with your comments and interactions, and all that you have to say. So please do take a moment to leave me a comment---it makes me happy to write again, the next day and the next and the next next and...and.. Oh, you get the picture.

So for all of you who have written in and asked when i will be doing it--here you go!

Today's post is a picture for you, from my garden:


This is the first time in my life that I am growing vegetables. There are about 16 tomatoes on one single plant! And I have about 8 plants, like the above one. I just harvested my first ripe tomato yesterday.

 When I started off, I had absolutely no knowledge about organic terrace gardening. But it was something that attracted me. I got inspired after watching this short documentary.
It has English subtitles and those of you, who are interested, I would urge you to watch it.

Next, I went and bought the pots, the compost, the soil and manure (Horse dung and cow dung). I sowed the tomato seeds (I picked them up from lalbagh) in small containers, and once they sprouted, i transplanted them into bigger pots. After that it was tender loving care and watering regularly that did the trick. I also read up a lot on the ideal conditions for growing tomatoes and this blog-post by a veteran tomato grower gave me some invaluable tips, that I followed to a T.

Growing tomatoes isn't very hard. It needs constant care though--and plenty of sunshine and water. (do not over water). An online forum called Organic Terrace gardening, is a community that I joined, and I found the members really helpful.

Where there is a will, there is a way. This cliched and well known saying is true--I can vouch for it. My tomato plants are a witness.

_____________________________________________________________


 Buy my books:  Get my latest book The One You Cannot Have

Flipkart: http://is.gd/TouchFlipkart

Uread: http://is.gd/TouchUread (Uread ships internationally too)
Amazon: http://is.gd/AmazonTouch

Comments

  1. I am very bad at gardening but love having greenery and plants around me. Imagine growing your own vegetables. It must be a fantastic feeling ! Good Luck with the blog Marathon !

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Ruch! I have never grown anything before this. So yes, very delighted.

    ReplyDelete
  3. wow...as now price of tomato is rising..i m feeling same to do at least u can have organic vegs at ur hand...

    ReplyDelete
  4. It feels great to read something organic...ma'am, as now the world is moving onto a hi-tech world with too many complexities leaving the world to deteriorate. Wishing all the best for your blog marathon.Good work maa'm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the wishes.

      Delete
    2. Amazing it is ma'am..My parents keep growing veggies in our small backyard...And i know hw much efforts go in..Best wishes for blog marathon ma'am.

      Delete
  5. What I liked most is the part that said persist enhance and effort is what gets you to the end. That applies to everything here. Good luck

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True that. Persistence and hard work always pays.

      Delete
  6. Nice. Its very greenish . Marathon posts start with good organic messages . Its really feel good to have our own garden vegetables .I also had a habit of gardening, Now i planted brinjal ..As always i am one of the fan of the blog ,books . Good luck . Your post refreshing me and motivating me :) Thankyou for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Yes. they will ripen in time :) I too have planted brinjals. Maybe will be able to post pictures of Brinjals when they flower and give fruit.

      Delete
  7. Lovely. Whosoever says that tomato prices are sky rocketing may try this.

    ReplyDelete
  8. “Organic farming appealed to me because it involved searching for and discovering nature's pathways, as opposed to the formulaic approach of chemical farming. The appeal of organic farming is boundless; this mountain has no top, this river has no end.

    ReplyDelete
  9. All the best for your Blog marathon.. I was waiting for this....

    ReplyDelete
  10. yay for the next 30 days i can c my fav author bloggin again ^_^ missed d blog lot :|

    ReplyDelete
  11. hello mam...i love your writing....Gardening attracts me...i have tried also ...but failed....your post always inspire me to try it once again...:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. One u cannot have book is amazing..
    Just love ur writings...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely! I too grow a few vegetables and the feeling sure is awesome. Looking forward to your marathon posts :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! Looking forward to your marathon posts and your 6th book! The picture is so delightful! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. A very organised style of life which conquers the highest peak of hard work. All the best.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I look forward to reading your posts everyday. All.the best and I am.extremely happy to know that your sixth book will be released.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I was thinking to read your marathon blogs from day 1 but due to some personal works I wasn't able to do so and trust me now I realized what I was missing from last 18 days.
    I thought you are too good at writing but you are too good at gardening also. It's so good to hear you are working on your 6th book, excitedly looking forward for it..

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate your leaving a comment! Okay--I appreciate your leaving a comment if you have something nice to say ;-)


Popular Posts