Joy Of Gardening

                     
                                Joy Of Gardening!!

      

         Nature makes me truly happy. I love going to places where I can be close to nature, away from crowded concrete structures. I have been to many places, Himalayas, Jungle safaris, treks in Sahyadri. But sadly these visits don't last long. At the end of trip I have to come back to routine boring life. So I make up for my longing for nature to some extent by nurturing my own backyard garden.

Mini garden inside home

My love for trees and flowers started right from my childhood. Our bungalow was surrounded by quite a big garden. In a backyard, there was also a Big Well with turtles and fishes in it. We had all sorts of trees and plants. Fruiting trees like Banana, Cashew, Mango, Coconut, Jamun, Mulberry, Chikku, Guava & also the wide variety of flowering plants. I used to tend to & water the garden with enthusiasm. Sadly, years later, given for development, almost all of it was gone. Though it's been two decades now, I still remember each and every tree there was, with it's exact place in our garden. My love for gardening that started from childhood is still growing.
 
    

Some of the Beauties from backyard

After I came to my In-Laws' house, I was happy to see the backyard, & being the only one interested in gardening soon it became my place. Even it was small compared to my old garden, it was still a place where I can continue my hobby. So over the years now, My beautiful little backyard garden is growing nicely. My 7 years old son is also developing interest in gardening. He loves to help me in planting and tending to the garden. I want him to experience the joy of growing the plants from seeds he planted himself and watching them blossom eventually. Plants are like children which you Nurture with love and care, Watch them grow tall, Show them off with pride. You worry about them when you are away. If even a single plant dies, you feel sadness to the core. Your Garden becomes important part of you as it is your creation. 

 

Garden Visitors

These days, when huge buildings are sprouting everywhere in cities, having a backyard garden feels like luxury. Concept of Terrace garden  is trending in crowded cities as an alternative for backyards. Professionally as well, Landscaping is in great demand these days. In my view, Gardening is not just a hobby. It has it's own benefits. Gardening works well as an exercise. It's also good for relaxing your mind. When you watch the plants grow and flower in front of your eyes, it gives sense of satisfaction and achievement. Kids can observe and learn about insects & birds from even a small patch of garden. As for young generation who is more attached to artificial things rather that living ones, Giving them at least glimpses of nature through home garden, may help push them back towards the Nature. 

  

My beloved cacti & succulents

Back to my garden, I am fond of flowering plants rather than ornamental ones. I like to see my garden bursting with  different colours, different fragrances, different shapes of flowers. But my love for Cacti is greater than regular flowering plants. Cactuses fascinate me more than anything. 'An average looking ( sometimes even ugly ugly looking) dwarf plants, covered in stingy thorns suddenly blooms into the Most Beautiful Vibrant coloured  flowers', is indeed one of the best tricks Mother Nature plays. I am crazy about cactuses and succulents. They are quite easy to grow as they need less water, can sustain in maximum heat and grow from small cuttings too. Very easy to take care of. My craze for cacti is so deep that wherever I go, I look for cactuses to bring back home. Be it trips to other cities or mountains or jungles, my eyes keep scanning roadsides or gardens for  them and by hook or crook I just get my hand on them. I love cactuses that much. Now a days, many online sites offer wide range of plants all over India which can't be found in local nurseries. It's great option for quenching my thirst for new additions to my Collection. 

  

Liliums!!

I have soft spot for my garden in my heart. My garden doesn't only serves as hobby but it's a Refuge from tensions of daily life. When I step outside, into the backyard, all the worries I leave behind. The fatigue of body & mind vanishes in an instance. Just sitting alone in that atmosphere gives you chance to think about things in rational mindset. The beauty of trees & flowers calms the nerves. Every nature lover can relate to this feeling. If ever, I am asked about my favorite relaxation idea after hectic day, It has to be the time I spend in Garden.

     In Late Evenings, Sitting on Garden Swing in the Dark, Sipping Hot Green Tea, Feeling Cool  Refreshing Breeze on Face, Smelling Sweet  Fragrances of Flowers, Listening to my Favorite K- Pop Music, My Dog playing around, Sometimes Chatting with my Little Son, Star Gazing with him,Hearing his Incredible Ideas about random things. These are The Most Enjoyable Moments for me. Doesn't it Sound Nice!!! 

 PS. All the pics are from my garden clicked by me.