Urban Leaves India: February 2011

Monday 28 February 2011

Once Again We Meet to Make Amrut Mitti at NNP - Chowpatty on 20th Feb - Sunday

This is the best time of the year when biomass is available in plenty. A big thanks to Anil Ranglani, who has given us contacts of societies where biomass is packed in bags and ready to be picked up. 

So we planned a group activity once again to make heaps of Amrut Mitti. The temptation is to have as much AM for planting just before the rains. This is what we did on 20th Feb at NNP


Two big heaps of Amrut Mitti being made on the ground by the group. The right heap is exclusively made by our senior citizens. Sampat, and Joshi Uncle, Nirmala Aunty made our day! Vipul and Sameer making the third heap.



We also planted some vegetable saplings directly in the ground. Next we shall see Carrots, Brinjal, Capsicums, Tomatoes and Kolrabi with herbs like Basil, Lemon Grass, Pepper Mint, Spear Mint, Tulsi and Ajwain in full glory.

Preeti got some Carrot saplings. The complete transplanting process visible in pictures.

Saplings immersed in AJ.

 Each stem tenderly separated…

Clearly marking on the ground to plant carrot stem with splash of wood ash serving instant nutrition to the sapling….


Well planted…

And mulched with sugarcane bagasse…. 

 Similarly planted Brinjal, Capsicum which already were flowering…

This is the herbal section. Here we shall see Methi, Lemon Grass, Mint, Basil, Tulsi and Ajwain.

a few new faces..... Group from Pasta Lane Colaba

Interaction with new members, everyone wants to make AM for individual use. Purvita generously offers help with all the raw material required as it is already available at the park. All they need to do is get the tubs or containers to make AM. 

Purvita giving away seeds of palak, tulsi and Italian basil…

Exchanging notes and eager to meet again!

 Next week the  plan is to make three more heaps of AM…. Tell me who all are willing to come and lend a helping hand! I shall definitely hope to see all of you….

Cheers 
Purvita
Volunteer 
Urban Leaves

Sunday 27 February 2011

Register to place your garden / farm on our city farmers map


Urban Leaves has been conducting workshops for last 2 years now, and this has enabled many individuals to start their own farms in their balconies or terraces. Urban leaves members have also connected with other city farmers in Bangalore during the National Conference.The website has enabled us to connect with city farmers in Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar, Pune, Nagpur, Dehradun, Delhi and so many other cities.

We are trying to create a city farmers map so as to register these ventures of individuals, as it becomes easier for people to connect with each other, in case they wish to visit other farms, or learn from others etc....

SO DEAR FRIENDS, ALL THOSE WHO HAVE STARTED THE ACTIVITY OF CITY FARMING,  DO FILL IN THE REGISTRATION FORM  BY CLICKING HERE. 

THE DETAILS REGARDING YOUR CONTACT NOS, E MAILS, WILL BE SAFE WITH US AND NOT DIVULGED TO OTHERS WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.

THE ABOVE DETAILS WILL HELP US CREATE A DATABASE OF CITYFARMERS IN INDIA.
WE WISH THE MAP OF CITY FARMERS BECOMES BIGGER AND BIGGER WITH TIME.

Cheers and lots of smiles
Preeti and The Team
Urban Leaves

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Sunday moments at MNP 13.2.11 photo diary

It was a time to remember the hard work put in for last one and half year, starting from making of Amrut Mitti heaps on the water tank. Grey can become green..... the pictures tell the story.


Then and now.............
This Sunday was time for spring cleaning the garden too. During the year we had realized that too many raised beds were not going to work out on the water tank. The tank surface was uneven and this often resulted in water logging under the beds which was not healthy for plants. So before summer and onset of monsoons we cleared all raised beds except one on the tank. Juilis painted the bricks bright red with GERU.


We retained one bed as this position as it receives good sunlight and is currently hosting wonderful healthy tomato and brinjal plants.



Tomatoes a plenty on this plant.......

 Another problem we faced at tank was lack of sunlight due to which our veggies were not doing too well. So the Amrut Mitti from these beds was filled in plastic tubs and shifted to the upper tank.

 The upper tank is almost 40 ft long and 20 ft wide. A huge space for us to green!


 The smaller tank seen below hosts banana, Custard apple, Madhavi Lata, Adulsa,Drumstick, Lemon,and more all in drums. These can be shifted around to prevent water logging as well as receive sunlight as per seasons.
Julius and Samprati enjoying a banana snack after hard work.

                                   Star fruit which has already started bearing fruits!

Sampat uncle and Vipul feeling proud of this wonderful fruit tree.

Some of the Containers and beds retained on smaller tank are....
The chikoo (Sapota ) ... Hey somebody had taken off with this chikoo.... : (
Cauliflower
Citronella
Brinjal in a container

After sprucing up the small tank we proceeded to the bigger one. We swept up our biggest resource there.... the carpet of leaves. Filled them up in gunny bags to be used later. 

 We were overjoyed and thankful to Avinash for making arrangements of water on the BIG TANK. Hip hip Hurray! At last we wouldn't be required to carry water to the tank.... oooh that was tough! Samprati bought chocolates for all of us to celebrate this occasion.saying.... SHUBH ARAMBH... KUCH MEETHA HO JAYE !

                      We turned and heaps one month old and added seeds for greening.


Also made two container full of Amrut Mitti heap for Sampat Uncle.These will be turned next week.
                                 The tank all cleaned up, we watered the tiny saplings,



harvested the spinach and went home feeling good and satisfied!

Cheers till next Sunday.....when we need to turn the beds of AM , water plants and have a group meeting on next course of action to plan for monsoon.

smiles.....
The team
Urban Leaves Group

Saturday 5 February 2011

Community Farm at Nana Nani -- Turns Green !

Kudos to Purvita and Ubai. Its now two months since they began work at the Nana Nani Park at Chowpatty.
The Amrut Mitti heaps have completed their initial composting of 30 days and have started their green journey.
Seeds of different varieties were sown and are thriving. They will be cut partially on  the 21st,42nd and 63rd day and  recycled back into the heap.

 So for the next 63 days,dear friends, the journey will take us through different soil textures and fragrances until the final Amrut Mitti is formed. In this journey, you need to walk hand in hand with patience, love and an inquisitive mind. 

Observe carefully, feel deeply and learn keenly!

The little saplings planted have grown too, on their way to becoming productive.
Carrots

Celery and Kohlrabi

  Many hands make light work!
We hope to see many more south Mumbai volunteers in the coming days. 
                                      Join us Today! Write to us at urbanleaves@gmail.com
                                   Be a part and not apart from the next Green Revolution!            


Cheers and smiles
Purvita , Ubai and
Urban Leaves Team