The Urban Plant-Whisperer’s Survival Guide Through Harsh Winter
Urban winter gardening is an exercise in patience, observation and quiet care. As winter settles over an arid landscape, the resident plant whisperer prepares her balcony garden for the promise of spring.
Photo: The rose from Taungyyi, Myanmar in bloom.
Preparing for Spring
Burstabdomen’s resident plant whisperer lives through the harsh winters of an arid land, preparing for spring, prodding the bloomers to bloom and nurturing the perennials.
Photo: Azalea spreading wings.
The urban 10 feet by three feet balcony is her playhouse, with the plants her playmates.
Watering a Winter Balcony Garden
Contrary to popular belief, the dry months of December, January and February demand daily watering for established plants.
The germinating saplings of Petunia, Gerbera, Marigold and Cosmos need watering every couple of days.
Too much water, however, and the stems become soggy.
Natural Nutrition for Healthy Plants
Broken eggshells and mustard cake soaked in water are staples for the plants.
The mixture is left to steep until the entire neighbourhood announces its presence.
The plants return the affection with lush green foliage, fragrance and radiant blooms.
Hibiscus and the Return of Butterflies
The hibiscus from Bangalore, Calcutta and other parts of the country begin flowering as the winter sun grows warmer.
Their blooms soon attract butterflies in abundance.
Photo: Hibiscus in bloom.
Growing Coriander and Red Amaranth
The coriander seeds planted around October germinate and flower by February, producing seeds for the following growing cycle.
Red amaranth takes roughly two months to mature.
Photo: Coriander.
Photo: Red amaranth.
Winter Bottle Gourd
The winter bottle gourd remains carefully hidden, like an overprotective mother guarding her child.
The balcony gradually transforms into a living trellis for her.
Caring for Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are often nutritionally deprived.
Many suffer from inadequate sunlight and excessive watering.
Photo: The sad, droopy indoor plant.
The Language of Plants
The plants whisper sweet nothings to their amour.
To her, the modest 10-foot urban garden is as expansive as the ever-stretching universe.
Her constant attention is all the plants desire.
They sway in happiness every time she walks into their midst.
Photo: The rose from Kalimpong.
