My love for greens started early. Our big fat old home in Purana Paltan had beautiful garden. It was surrounded by fruit trees like mango, guava, coconut, jackfruit etc. I remember climbing up the branches of guava tree in the afternoon when everyone was busy taking their afternoon nap. Cutting my elbows or legs from falling down from trees was very common for me. I always used to have a cut on my body, as a trade mark feature. My father loved to grow flowers. However since we left Purana Paltan home we have been living in apartments and never had a place to grow some greens. And I was too busy with life and never thought about it though always liked it. After i got married we moved to a beautiful Banglow in Green Road. The house had wonderful lawn to do gardening. I tried for 5 years, due to lack of sunlight plants didnt grow as expected. Especially the vegetable. This year we moved to our old apartment. And my balcony had sunlight and enough air. I decided to grow vegetable and other plants I already had. I am growing lettuce, chili, mint, lemon, lemon grass, curry leaves, egg plants, coriander and basil. My balcony looks a little piece of heaven. Every morning first thing I do is go to the balcony and look at my plants. It gives me enormous pride and satisfaction. It also helps me to dream. Dream of a country house with a farm. I want to be an organic farmer when I grow up ;). I surely do. I want to grow all those beautiful vegetable, flowers and fruits. But till I can make it, lets be happy with urban farming and balcony harvesting.
Aziza Ahmed 