Every time, I see a garden apart from mine, I still think that I am missing something. Whenever I walk through the gardens around me, I feel ecstatically happy more than a word could express. I am feeling glad, that I started this new series because I am enjoying more while working on these projects. This month, in this new series “GARDENS AROUND ME”,  we are going to explore a beautiful garden. Hope you have fun!

GARDENS AROUND ME

Visiting a GARDEN is more working than visiting a counsellor, as it will heal our mind and heart more than any therapy could.

In this episode, we are going to explore my granny’s garden. I call her as “ammamma” (mother’s mother.) This garden tour is more like a winter version. As I have already done a summer version last year, covering her garden and describing each plant in brief. If you are interested, the link is here. Click here to read – Ammamma’s May Garden.

Episode – 1  Part – 1

Her name is Mrs. GOVINDAMMAL JAYAVELU. She is into gardening for more than 20 years. In her garden, she is growing more than 40 different plants. I am inspired by her, to do gardening. Since childhood, I enjoyed watching her watering the plants, pruning the branches and dried leaves, composting the kitchen waste and harvesting fresh produce each day. No wonder, how I fell in love with gardening.

This episode is split into three parts. Here, in this post (part 1), we are going to see a garden tour, covering the flowers, fruits, and vegetables in her garden.

In the upcoming post (part 2), we are going to visit her garden, covering the green leafy vegetables, medicinal/Ayurvedic plants, and croton varieties.

For PART 2 of this episode, please check out this post: Ammamma’s garden tour part-2.

In the last post (part 3), we had a tea time discussion about gardening with her. And the link to that post is here, Ammamma’s interview. Check it out as she shared some interesting tips with us!

GARDEN TOUR

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To make, this garden visit easy, I categorized the plants into the following groups. Next time when you come back to this post for a particular plant, just click the group. You will be directed to the particular topic.

1. 1. FLOWERS
   2. FRUITS
   3. VEGETABLES 

2. Without any further do, let’s start exploring.

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Flowers

Let us start with flowers. Flowers are my most favorite plants in any garden. Not only me but everyone like flowers. They are easy to grow as well. Every gardener must have at least a simple flowering plant in their gardens because it helps us in many ways like

• Pollination – an important process.
• Adds colors to our garden
• Provides pleasant smell
• And much more.

Most of the flowers are described in the earlier post. Kindly check the post to learn more about it.

Click this Link: Ammamma’s garden in may.  for more details.

HIBISCUS / SEMBARUTHI

In Tamil, this flower is called, “Sembaruthi” or “செம்பருத்தி“. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is called as “shoe flower” of Asia because these flowers are used to polish shoes and make it shine. The other names are the “Chinese rose”,” rose mallow”.

This hibiscus has a variety of medicinal uses and grows well in tropical climates, which is native to East Asia.

ROSE

Almost everyone loves rose. In Tamil, it is called as “ரோஜா“. There are more than thousand varieties of roses available in markets. They are available in different colors and textures. They are used for different purpose like decoration, perfumes, in food preparations etc. It has some medicinal properties too.

My ammamma is having a beautiful red garden rose. It grows very well in winters than in summers. The rose plants can be easily grown in gardens but need extra care and maintenance in summers.

JASMINE

They are called as “மல்லிகை” in Tamil. I have covered this plant in the previous post briefly. Click here to read more: Jasmine in her garden.

FIRECRACKER FLOWER / KANAGAMBARAM

If you are from the city side, then I bet u never know this flower. Because the next flower is “கனகாம்பரம்” “kanagambaram” in Tamil.  They are also called as “sun firecracker” flower. Its botanical name is Crossandra infundibuliformis.

This flower has beautiful bright orange petals and has a pleasant smell. They are available in two different colors as Bright orange and yellow.

SAMANTHI / CHRYSANTHEMUM / MARIGOLD.

If you are following me on Instagram or Twitter, you know that I had a confusion in the name of the flower “சாமந்தி”/samanthi in English. Then I got cleared by a botanist via Instagram.

What he says is, the flower samanthi belongs to two different families based on its color and structure. If the flower is in Yellow or red or yellow/red related colors, they are called, “Marigold”.

If they are in purple, pink or any colors other than yellow or red, then they are called, “Chrysanthemums”. Also, if you have any theories other than that, do comment below. She has yellow, purple and unusual GREEN samanthi flowers.

THE UNUSUAL GREEN SAMANTHI.

I have never encountered a “GREEN” colored flower before. It is so astonishing to see a green variety of samanthi.

These are the unusual green samanthi started flowering last winter in her garden. They are so beautiful. They are called “green marigold”.

If you know this plant already, do comment below. Also, let us know if you have seen any green colored or weird flowers before.

ALARI

The oleander plant or “அலரி” / alari is a beautiful soft textured flower. I have discussed this plant in the earlier post. Click here to read more: Alari fower in her garden.

She has this plant in two shades. Pink or reddish shade and white colored flowers. Both look beautiful and mostly used for decoration.

PATTU ROSE / MOSS ROSE

This moss rose or pattu rose / “பட்டு ரோஸ்” plant is a low maintenance and a very easy to grow plant variety. They bear beautiful flowers mostly used for decoration.

A single plant of this pattu rose will bear different colored flowers.

MINIATURE NANDHIYAVATTAI FLOWER

This is the miniature variety of “நந்தியவட்டம்” / nandhiyavattam plant. They are also called as pinwheel flower, crape jasmine, East India Rosebay.

These plants and its flowers have many medicinal properties. They are also used for decorations.

Here is the video version of this episode. Do watch it, if you like to watch a video rather than reading the blogs.

Fruits

Next to flowers let us see what are the fruits variety she is growing in her garden. Fruits plants and trees are needed some extra care in the beginning.

PINEAPPLE

She says that it was her first time to try growing a pineapple / “அன்னாசி” in her garden. Follow me on Instagram (@diarytale), so that I will keep you updated on this pineapple’s progress. 

LEMON

In her early days of gardening, she used to have a big lemon / “எலுமிச்சை” tree in her garden. Now she is starting to grow lemon tree again. They grow very well in the season between summer and winter.

We love to have juice from the freshly handpicked lemons from her garden. She also used to make fresh lemon pickles every year.

Vegetables

 

BRINJAL

“கத்திரிக்காய்” / Brinjal is the “king of vegetables“. It is also called as Eggplant in various countries. It grows well in the tropical and subtropical climates.

The hybrid varieties are prone to different pests and disease. So, brinjals require much attention and care.

TOMATO

The Tomatoes / “தக்காளி” are easily grown and consumed by almost all over the world. There are numerous varieties of tomatoes are available.

These tomatoes grow well in the summers. Heirloom varieties can withstand disease and pests and are healthier too.

BEANS

“பீன்ஸ்” / Beans are also called as French beans, string beans, Snap Beans. Ammamma is having a bush bean variety. 

Bush beans produce a lot of pods in the short period of time. They can be easily grown.

RED ONIONS

Onions / “வெங்காயம்” needs well-drained soil to grow well. It also requires high nutrients.

Proper care must be taken for the successful growth and the harvest of the onions. It is also prone to many disease and pests.

POTATO

“உருளைக்கிழங்கு” / Potato is a tuber. It is the world’s favorite vegetable consumed by almost everyone. 

They grow well in the winter climates. Also, they require constant moisture.

TARO / Colocasia esculenta

“சேப்பங்கிழங்கு” or taro or Corms or Colocasia esculenta is native to Southern India and South East Asia.

It is a root plant primarily grows well in the tropical or the warm climate.

For PART 2 of this episode, please check out this post: Ammamma’s garden tour part-2.

I hope you all liked this new episode of the brand new series. Do let me know in the comment section if you liked this post. If you have any questions regarding gardening, do write us below, in the comment or email us or you can also ask via any social media.

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Have a good day!