TURN YOUR HOME INTO A NATURE LOVER’S PARADISE LIKE DIA MIRZA’S WITH THESE EXPERT TIPS
Conservationist and actor Dia Mirza spoke about how she has managed to turn her home into a "mini jungle" that attracts several species of birds, butterflies, and bees. Sharing her experience with climate activist and photographer Aman Sharma from the Birds of India Instagram page, the actor gave a glimpse into the "urban wildlife" that she has built over the years.
Sharma captioned the post, "Dia tells us how she turned her home in an urban city like Mumbai into a mini jungle that attracts several species of birds, butterflies, and bees. Most people think you need a large space to create a habitat for wildlife - Dia uses just a window as her portal into the lives of urban wildlife."
Dia shared some of the measures that have helped her
*Plant host plants to make a butterfly garden, like curry leaves, lemon, Ixora, etc
*Plant native and flowering trees for birds and butterflies
*Put up nest boxes
"What you need is a source of water, some native plants and flowers, and just that little bit of gumption and willpower that could turn your home into an oasis for nature to thrive in," mentioned Aman.
"From Orioles to Bulbuls and Flycatchers to Fantails, Dia’s home sees it all. People often think you need to visit jungles to see wildlife, but Dia proves that they could also visit you, given that you create a little habitat for your feathered friends to enjoy. Dia also made a conscious decision to live in an apartment that had a community garden supporting old-growth trees, which not only attract birds but also uphold entire ecosystems within them. From Neem to Mango to Almond, the garden hosts a variety of plants and trees good for attracting wildlife," Aman mentioned.
It has never been about the space or location, but just the idea - turn your terrace, balcony, window or garden into a green space today, he quipped.
Here's how you can do that too!
Nowadays, almost everyone likes to have a piece of green at their place. But not all of us have big lawns or plenty of open spaces in our houses. Making a mini garden in a limited space like a balcony or terrace can be challenging but not impossible.
"There are many who have started with 2-3 saplings but now have turned their place into a miniature jungle. We just have to be a little smart while choosing containers and use a maximum of the available vertical space," said Ananya Chowdhury, an anthophile from Pune who is a software engineer by profession.
Here are some tips to start gardening for beginners, who are thriving to bring a bit of nature in their balconies.
Soil mix
There are plenty of options for cocopeat, garden sand, and even readymade garden soil in both online and offline shops. Always keep the soil mix light to maintain drainage, otherwise, the roots will get damaged because of excess water. However, there are many varieties of plants, which can be grown in water instead of soil like different kinds of pothos (money plants), coin plants, lucky bamboos, and more.
Start with small plants which are locally available
Local plants are more likely to survive than plants coming from outside. Even we can grow herbs or leafy vegetables like coriander, fenugreek, basil, oregano, mint, curry leaves, spinach, red amaranth, or lettuce. These seeds are readily available in our kitchen or a nearby market and take very less space to grow.
Use hanging pots and vertical gardening
The usage of nets for creepers or shelves will not only maximise your space but also add to the creativity of your mini garden. Hanging planters are also good options for small plants. Make sure to check the weight while hanging planters on railings.
Sunlight
It is an important factor to consider while starting gardening. Most plants require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, while some indoor plants need 4-5 hours of indirect sunlight.
Right container and watering
Always choose planters, which have a system to release excessive water. If you are using an empty container as a planter, then make sure to keep enough holes at the bottom. When it comes to watering, a home garden needs it on a regular basis, especially during summer. Always check the soil before watering; otherwise, it will lead to rotting of the roots.
Fertiliser and insecticides
Kitchen waste can be turned into organic compost using a waste converter bin. This odour-free compost is great as a soil mix and in this way, we can recycle our food waste. Banana peel soaked in water is full of calcium, which is good for flowering plants. Often a home garden suffers pests like mealybugs and small snails. Neem oil and vinegar are great options as organic pesticides, said Ananya.
"Nectar-producing plants attract pollinating wildlife. Eventually, the home garden helps these species to survive. Bird feeders can be installed for local birds, which will enhance the balcony garden's vibe. This is enough to know before starting a new garden and the rest of the knowledge comes with experience," said Ananya.
It's easy, right? Happy gardening!
📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don't miss out on the latest updates!
2023-07-19T12:38:50Z dg43tfdfdgfd