Like the shade of a tree on a hot summer day, like rain on parched ground, like water for a hot roasted Delhi soul – is Urmila Yadav’s terrace in S block. Her passion, not just for green plants, is evident in her vast collection of flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees. What really stands out about her garden is that every inch of space has been very well utilized in transforming it into a little paradise.
A big patch of green grass welcomes you as you enter, beside which stands a fountain with gurgling water that trickles into a little pond created by Urmila, which is home to happily breeding and multiplying molly and guppy fishes. The majestic Champa trees, laden with fragrant blooms are a sight to behold! The parapet is adorned with aged, fat adeniums bearing bunches of flowers. Bushes full of roses, sunflowers, and lantana blossoms definitely invite loads of butterflies and bees for a nectar party and of course, help pollination of fruits and vegetables.
Fruit trees like papaya, peach, pear, plum, guava, custard apple, walnut, phalsa, and figs, are neatly planted in big white drums all along the border of the terrace. An environmentalist at heart, Urmila feeds them her homemade compost and is rewarded well with big, fat papayas and figs! The surprise element in the avocado tree is a little tailor bird nest bustling with the activity of three newborns!
Ready to be picked cucumbers, kakdis, tomatoes, and chillies look very refreshing and all have stories to tell about Ms. Green Fingers! She has also grown orchids on the barks of her trees, which surprisingly bloom even without a green shade! Yes, this is summer on Urmila’s terrace! I leave, mesmerized by the beauty of this haven which has truly been blessed because of her passion and hard work.
wow. am in S block. moved here last august from gk1 . would love to see and get inspired for our balcony