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Best use of space: Here’s how you can give your terrace a green makeover
Many of us would love to grow fruits and vegetables in our gardens, but do not act upon this, given the space constraints in our flats. However, Nabar brothers from Dadar have not let this come in their way of their hobby.
Many of us would love to grow fruits and vegetables in our gardens, but do not act upon this, given the space constraints in our flats. However, Nabar brothers from Dadar have not let this come in their way of their hobby.
Five years ago, Shashank, 54, and Parag, 47, the directors of Multiprint Advertising in Byculla, started gardening on their office terrace, which has become a lush garden where flowers, fruits and vegetables are grown.
From tomatoes, beans, watermelons and chikkoos, everything is grown in the terrace garden.
“We had a garden at our home in Kolhapur and so we are naturally inclined towards gardening,” said Shashank.
“And thanks to former mayor Shubha Raul’s encouragement, I participated in several workshops conducted by the civic body and Marathi Vigyan Parishad, where I learnt composting. We use natural compost in the garden,” he said.
After learning the technique, the first thing he invested in was a plastic barrel, which became a compost pit. Also, he carries two tiffin boxes to work every day — one with his lunch, the other with vegetable and fruits peels and seeds.
“The peels go into the compost pit, while the seeds are sown,” said Shashank.
Parag said the idea behind buying an office space with a terrace was gardening. “When we were looking for a flat to set out our office, we were clear that we wanted to use the terrace as a garden. This place is perfect,” he said.
The fruits and vegetables grown in the garden are used in office and also distributed among the employees. For instance, lemon grass is used to make tea at work, while the lemons are distributed to the employees.
The Nabars’ efforts have encouraged and inspired their employees to grow their own plants. Santosh Gopale, 30, a visualiser and graphic designer, grows flowers and fruits in the balcony of his Dombivli flat.
“Owing to space constraints, I cannot plant trees or plants that grow tall. I started doing this to keep the air inside my house clean. When you enter my home you can smell the flowers and breathe in fresh air,” he said.
