October marks a perfect month for growing spinach on terraces in many parts of India. Vijay Sharma, a swimming coach from Bikaner, has turned his home garden into a thriving vegetable haven, offering useful advice for anyone looking to grow palak in limited spaces this season.
- Use containers with good drainage for spinach planting.
- Prepare soil with compost and moisture-retaining materials.
- Provide adequate sunlight while avoiding intense afternoon heat.
What happened
Vijay Sharma, a swimming coach from Bikaner, Rajasthan, started gardening in 2017 to improve the quality of homegrown vegetables. Encouraged by his early success with cluster beans, he added spinach, okra, chillies, and more to his terrace garden. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he expanded his garden significantly to include over 150 varieties of plants.
Sharma's journey included adapting to limitations in gardening supplies by creatively reusing household items like old drums, tyres, and plastic containers as planters. His approach combines practicality with sustainability, demonstrating that thriving gardens can flourish even in urban terrace settings.
Why it feels good
Growing your own spinach on a terrace brings a fresh, nutritious ingredient to your kitchen while fostering a rewarding connection to nature. It offers control over growing conditions, reducing reliance on market produce, which may sometimes lack freshness or quality.
In addition, nurturing plants encourages mindfulness and a sense of accomplishment. Vine-covered terraces can even help moderate temperatures around the garden, making the planting experience more enjoyable and promoting healthier growth in hot climates like Bikaner’s.
What to enjoy or watch next
October is the ideal season for sowing spinach seeds directly into containers filled with a nutrient-rich medium, such as a blend of garden soil, mature compost, and cocopeat. Adequate spacing and consistent watering without waterlogging are vital to produce lush, healthy leaves.
For those interested in expanding their terrace gardens, consider following Vijay Sharma’s example of reusing household materials for planters and integrating protective creepers for shade. Keep an eye out for morning sun exposure while sheltering the plants from harsh afternoon heat, especially in warmer areas.