Organic and healthy, Jaipur is growing its own veggies at home

A few years ago, 64-year-old Shyma Verma, a homemaker, bought a 500 sq ft land in Vaishali Nagar because she wanted to grow and eat non-contaminated food. “Earlier, I would stay in the government quarters in Gandhi Nagar area, where I had a big garden and I would grow a lot of plants, vegetables and fruit-bearing trees. After my husband retired, we shifted to Vaishali Nagar to live with our children.That’s when we bought a land so that I could continue my hobby. The fact that we live in a world where chemical-free vegetables and fruits are hard to find, I decided to grow my own vegetables and fruits. From bottle guard to lady’s finger, mango, chickoo, bitter gourd, tomato, lemon and spinach, I grow everything organically. I distribute a lot of fruits to my friends and neighbours,” she says.
Shyma Verma plucking chickoos that she had grown at her garden (Shalini Maheshwari/BCCL)

Shyma is a member of the Kitchen Garden Association in Jaipur that organises workshops for people who are fond of gardening and also hosts exhibitions. And like Shyma, there are many Jaipurites who have started growing fruits and vegetables at their home.
Bela Badhalia and her daughter Keya are proud of the produce from their garden
Jewellers Pankaj and Bela Badhalia’s sprawling garden at their house in Taruchaya Nagar is home to different varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruits such as mangoes, papaya, avocados, dates, oranges, grapes, bananas, chickoos and a lot more. Bela tells us that they have never had to purchase vegetables from the market. “We have been doing this for the past eight years and life has been different. The homegrown fruits and vegetables taste so delicious. They might not be that big in size as you find in the markets, but the taste is impeccable and they make for a healthy alternative to pesticide-contaminated vegetables and fruits. The joy of growing vegetables and fruits can only be experienced. All that it takes is a lot of enthusiasm, planning and dedication,” says Bela.
Bela Badhalia looking at the brinjals that she has grown
Grapes at Bela's garden that are yet to ripen up
“Apart from the production of organic vegetables, it also makes you fit. And gardening acts as a stressbuster for you,” she adds. Not just in the garden, they also own a farmhouse where they do organic farming. “Look at the grapes,” Bela tells us as we visited her house. “There’s still some time for them to ripen up. I am thinking of making some wine now and plan to invite all my friends for tasting,” she says.
Jaya Tiwari at her terrace garden
She has converted her old bathtub into a pot in which she grows herbs
Such is her love towards gardening that homemaker Jaya Tiwari, a resident of Mansarovar, has converted her old bathtub into a pot in which she grows mint and coriander. She has also taken a structured approach towards kitchen gardening with organic kits on her terrace and grows vegetables including lady finger, cucumber, chilli, tomato and spinach. She also grows muskmelon. “This time, many of my vegetables couldn’t survive due to the extreme heat,” she says, adding, “I use a soilless medium for growing plants, which comprises vermicompost and coco-peat. For watering, I use drip-irrigation method. It takes time for you to understand how things work as per the climate,” she adds.
Home-grown oyster mushrooms
Jaya feels that the best way to lead a healthy life is by growing and consuming vegetables at home. “Of course, it is difficult to grow all vegetables and fruits at home, but a little effort goes a long way. One can start with one or two plants. You not only save money but also get to eat fresh,” she says. Last year in winters, Jaya grew oyster mushrooms. Like Bela, gardening is a therapy for Jaya as well. “I spend my day maintaining my plants, thus taking my mind off everyday worries,” she says.
Rajshree Sharma
The high amount of contamination in the food available in the markets led Rajshree Sharma to set up her own kitchen garden. A resident of Vaishali Nagar, Rajshree has been growing vegetables and fruits for the past many years. “When I started out, I expected it to be difficult. But gradually, I gained confidence and with a lot of patience and dedication, I started growing a lot of vegetables and fruits. I have even grown strawberries and mushrooms at home,” she says. She also grows ginger and garlic. “The world is going organic. I suggest people take up organic farming and that way, they will be able to eat healthy and fresh,” she says.