Ideas for your urban garden

Let's face it: Those fantasies of having a small patch of greenery in front of your home where you grow an abundance of blossoms are now just a faraway fragment of a dream for even the best of us. But not to fear, because living in Dhaka means you learn how to work your way around the obstacles in your path and improvise ways of adding a touch of greenery to your home, be it a corner of your balcony or the vast expanse of your roof. Here are some tips to help you in whatever gardening endeavour you are about to embark on:

The joy of Google: The truth is that everyone appreciates plants, but people are afraid that they cannot take care of them. Which plant should be kept indoors? When should you expose it to the sun? How much water does a plant need? Is it in season? All your worries will fade away when you simply do a little internet research for any query that you might have. As long as you know the name of the plant, nothing can stop you from being an expert on its daily needs.

Seed planting calendar: Want to have your rose shrub fully grown so that it can sprout beautiful blooms by the time winter is here? The best way to accurately time the growth of your seasonal plants is to note it down in your calendar. Do some research on ideal planting times for each of the seeds you plan to sow and label the dates so that you don't forget about them by the time their season comes along. If you have space on a bulletin board or wall somewhere, find some pins and arrange your seed packets by month. Make sure this is in a cool, shaded place so the seeds stay fresh!

A little spritz here and there: For the most part, the water that is applied to the surface of your soil is only helping strengthen the roots and stems. The leaves, however, could really use a spritz or two of water every other day.

Drain it out: Yes, it's true that the pot where you have planted your beloved marigold has a hole in the bottom. But remember that you also need actual rocks or drainage material at the bottom. Most pots in Bangladesh come with a saucer to help accumulate the drained water, so make sure you don't miss out on this handy tool. It gives water a place to go so that the roots of the plant don't rot. Also, always remember to drain the saucer regularly, because water that accumulates on saucers is the number one breeding spot for dengue mosquitoes.

Don't shock your plant: Although it's easy to rearrange your furniture on a whim, plants, for the most part would like a permanent home. You obviously have to move them when you switch living quarters, but to keep them happy, let them love the light they're in and stay put.

Remember they are living things: Despite not being able to speak to you, plants are very much alive and the amount of care or neglect they are subject to show clearly in their appearance. So if you are thinking of taking responsibility for a plant's life, be meticulous in taking care of it and it will reward you by blessing your home with its incomparable natural beauty.