motherkerala.com: Happiness of growing a kitchen garden

Happiness of growing a vegetable kitchen garden!

Beatutiful Njali poovan- from K.S.Abraham's garden,
Kurathikadu, Mavelikara.

Kerala imports more than 80 % of the vegetables from other States, creating jobs for others. What we get is vegetable infested with pesticide which contains poison more than the human body can handle. You may remember there are few occasions in last year Saudi Arabia banned the curry leaves exported from Kochi which was coming from Andhra and Tamil Nadu. The reason was that it contains more insecticide than the allowed limit. The poison content in vegetables leads to frequent illness and high rate of diseases like diabetes, kidney failures, cancer etc. Kerala is the world capital of diabetes now. Moreover research has shown vegetable we buy from supermarket loses up to 57% of nutrients on its ways from the farm to kitchen. It is high time that we have to do something to change our life style. We are left with a choice: our life or our present lifestyle?
To quote Nikhil Swami Nathan in a recent article in "Psychology today" Nov 2012. published from US, " the U.S uses 22 percent of the world's pesticides to produce 4 percent of world's agricultural output." The EPA sets safe levels. "in reality we are exposed to multiple pesticide residue at one time. They lower IQ in kids and may cause ADHD". In India the case may be worse.

Why do we grow a Kitchen garden? Look at the expressions of garden owners: “there is an intense flavor in my home grown vegetables” “They are fresh and delicious” “No pesticides”” Organic” “Self-reliant” “satisfaction of eating your own produce is immense” “I love peace and solitude in my garden” “Look at the miracle of a tiny seed growing to big plant” “It revitalize the energy, be with nature, what a privilege!” “bye-bye to frequent illness, and avoid diabetes, and cancer” "I am happier and healthier now" How happy they are. Do you want to be?

Swiss chard- George Joseph , Thoppans garden,
Kanthalloor, Munnar

Apple- George Joseph , Thoppans garden,
Kanthalloor, Munnar, Kerala India.

If there is a will there is a way. Most of us like to give a lame excuses: ‘we don’t have time, or land, or expertise’ etc. All those big kitchen garden growers have started from a small way. Every day experiences added up to their expertise and knowledge. The same will be your case too. There are people who are ready to help. Teachers are there when the student is ready to ask. Ask to learn.

Kale, George Joseph's Thoppans garden, Kanthalloor, Munnar

Look at the small gardens set up by a few, mostly retired Engineers in Kerala. If you cannot grow them, at least grow a few papaya fruit tree in your yard. It will give green papaya as a vegetable and an exotic riped papaya as fruit. It will make you happier and healthier.

^"The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this." 2 Timothy 2,6-7, Bible.