October 9, 2004

In the pictures you can see ripe yellow brinjals that were deep violet when not fully ripe, except the white ones (Solanum ovigerum) otherwise known as egg-plant because of their resemblance with eggs. The violet brinjal’s botanical name is Solanum melanogena. They are in pots to show that vegetables can be grown in pots as well. The brinjals are used for the Hyderabadi delicacy Bhagare Baingan).

Vegetables that are sold in our city are laden with pesticides which trigger a chain reaction that damage the cells of the body resulting in what we call cancers of different types in vital organs. If they do not cause cancer, they lower down the vitality of key organs that become weak progressively and either work poorly or stop working completely over the years. One of them is lead that lowers down the IQ in children. It is incurable.

The remedy lies in not eating pesticide or chemical infested vegetables. That is possible by growing them in homes, in the kitchen garden, in earthen pots, in flower beds.

The suggestion gives an air of the ordinary because some people feel that vegetable growing is not a very interesting hobby. Most people prefer growing flowers that are far more lovely. But we have one life and health is the most precious gift to man. Riches alone does not make life rich.

This does not mean you should grow only vegetables. Flowers are important too. You can grow both vegetable and flowers even in apartments to, where space is a problem.

Seeds of flowers and vegetables for all seasons are available in the market. My son planted three seeds of bitter ground (Karela). Now these plants have begun to bear fruit and we have been consuming these vegetables which are extremely tasty. He purchased these seeds from a vendor. You can do that with onions, mint, coriander, garlic, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. One of my friends grows so many vegetables in pots on his roof that he distributes them in his neighbourhood.

Seeds are extremely cheap; plants need no more than a glass of water every third day. The pleasure of plucking your own vegetables has a special delight, more so for the women and children of the family.

If you wish to start a kitchen garden and plant some flowers you can contact Ahsan on 0333-2233734 for seeds of flowers, vegetables, pressure pump (one litre and five litres) to kill pests. Vegetable and flower seeds are also available in the market and can be bought quite easily.

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