Growing mint(pudina) in containers.

 Mint is one of the easiest procedures to grow at home. Some of the benefits of mint leaves are
. Proper digestion
. Weight loss in a healthy way
. Skin care
. Quick and effective remedy for nausea
. Improves oral health

Procedure for growing mint in containers.

1. Take cuttings of the mint stems which has at-least  one node. Please find the picture how node looks like

2. Now fill water in glass or any small container and place the stem cuttings in water.
3. Change  the water every 3 days. Within 7 to 10 days roots will  develop from the nodes as shown below.

4. Once the roots are developed for at-least 1 to 2 inch then place them in pots.
5. The potting soil should consist organic compost or cow dung manure and cocopeat if available.

6. Place each stems for at least one inch gap between them.
7. With in a month you can harvest the mint leaves. 
8. Just cut the stems and leave at least 3 inch stem from the bottom and again within a month it will grow back.

How to care Mint plant:

1. Water the plants regularly.

2. Keep the soil moist( Soil should not get dry and water should not stagnate)

3. Do not use any chemicals if plant is infected with pests. Just prune the infected part.

4. Prune the plants in every 2 months.

5. Fertilize the plants once in every 4 to5 months with organic compost.

6. If it is a cold climate keep it in full sun and if it is tropical climate keep in partial sun.

Happy Gardening :)

Organic Terrace gardening basics.

To start your own garden, you should have container like pots or grow bags and soil mixture.

Container: You can use pots or grow bags or any type of containers which is available.

I am using pots, grow bags and containers like water jars and a big plastic containers shown in the picture which I brought from plastic scrap dealers.

It should have a good drainage holes so that water should not stagnate.

You can buy grow bags in nursery or online.

Soil mix: soil mix should have potting soil which is available for you, coco peat, compost and cow dung manure.

Compost will have all the nutrients which plant requires and cow dung will have NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium) which is very essential for all kind of plants.

Initially you can start with leafy vegetables which are very easy to grow like spinach, Amaranthus, Methi etc.

You can buy seeds nearby any local nurseries or online.

Let me explain you how to grow Methi at home:

1. Take tray like container which has at least 4-inch height.

2. Now take a soil mixture which includes potting soil, cocopeat, cow dung manure and compost in the ratio of 4:2:2:2(not a problem if differs) if you don’t have cow dung manure you can only add compost or vice versa.

3. Now take some Methi seeds which is easily available at home and sprinkle the seed all over the container and add a layer of soil mix over the seeds.

4. Now water the container using watering can or you have to sprinkle the water with your hands so that the soil should not disturb and keep it in your balcony or terrace.

After 3 to 4 days you can see the seeds will germinate and within 20 to 25 days you can harvest your Methi leaves.

Please have a look of my Methi leaves growing in container.

Now you can have your own chemical free, healthy and tasty food.

Gardening is also one of the best stress relievers. Try this and definitely you will get inspired to grow more by seeing your own plants which I have experienced.

Happy gardening. :)