Growing Garlic - a pictorial tutorial

Break garlic bulbs into individual cloves ready for planting. Take care not to damage the cloves as this can lead to rotting.

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In mild regions, plant the cloves in well-prepared soil spacing them 10cm apart. Simply push the cloves into the soil so that the tip of each one is just below the surface.

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In cold areas and to speed up the growth-rate of the crop, plant the cloves in divided seed trays of multi-purpose compost. Water well and place trays in a cool greenhouse or cold frame to grow on.

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Garlic plants grown in trays will be ready to plant out. Use a trowel to make a hole and set the plants at the same level as they were growing in the trays.

All about Compost Tea

Compost Tea is a nutritionally rich, well-balanced, organic plant food made by steeping aged compost in water. The water is then diluted and used as a root and/or foliar feed. It is also noted for its ability to control various plant diseases (blights, molds, wilts, etc. when used as a foliar spray), to repel and control insect pests and their damage when used on a regular basis, and to encourage the growth of benefical soil bacteria which results in healthier, more stress-tolerant plants.

There are several different recipes for compost tea but the basic one most often recommended here calls for the following:

1 large container with lid (plastic trash can works well)

Enough aged, completed compost to fill an old pillow case 1/2-3/4 full

Sufficient water to fill the container

Fill the container with the water. Place the compost into an old pillowcase (cheese cloth bag or pantyhose also work well), tie off the top and submerge in the container of water. Cover (to prevent odor and insect problems) and let steep for a MINIMUM of 2 weeks.

This steeping time is crucial to the formation of benefical bacteria and the required fermentation process. 

Some tips to grow drumstick

Drumstick is a very useful vegetable and widely used in South Indian food preparations, especially SAMBAR - the dish served as first course in South Indian Meals.
Growing drumstick is a very easy task. It grows into a tree, and can be trimmed at frequent intervals. The branch, when planted, gives rise to a new tree, so its really easy to create new drumstick plants very quickly. Initially, the new branch will appear to dry. Within a few days, however, beautiful new green leaves sprout.
Within six months, you will find hundreds of drum sticks swaying nicely from the tree. These days, when a single drum stick is selling @ five rupees, it makes sense to grow this nice tree. The leaves too are a rich source of nutrients and can be added to any dish. They are a bit pungent, so its better to fry it before adding it to any other dish.

Photo From the past

A couple dressed in traditional Indian Dress

- A photo from the yesteryears

Nature at its best

Gulmarg - Where the mountains meet the Sky

White, snow-clad cradle

Men in water

Follow Me!

Two lovely ducks in a temple pond

Some beautiful sceneries