Beena Mathew of Kottayam in Kerala is a smart homemaker who ensures good health for her family by cultivating vegetables required for her household. For the last ten years, this 56-year-old homemaker from Kanjirathanam in Kottayam hasn’t bought vegetables from the market but grown them at her home without using pesticides and chemicals.
From beans, cabbage, tomatoes, brinjal, ladies finger to tapioca and spinach, Beena grows everything in the limited space available at her home, proudly showing the world that pesticide-free vegetables for a family’s needs can be grown right in the backyard of a house or on the terrace.
Using grow bags, she has transformed her limited space into a productive oasis, yielding an impressive array of vegetables. Her garden boasts everything from juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers to leafy greens and spicy peppers. This method has allowed her to maximize her yield and ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce, regardless of the season.
A key aspect of Beena’s gardening success is her commitment to natural and sustainable farming practices. She eschews the use of pesticides and harsh chemicals, relying instead on a minimal amount of ammonia to nourish her plants. This approach not only ensures that her vegetables are free from harmful residues but also contributes to the overall health and well-being of her family. “Growing your own vegetables at home is one of the best ways to stay healthy,” Beena explains. “You know exactly what goes into your food, and you can enjoy it fresh from the garden,” she told “Open Digest.”
“You don’t need to be an expert to cultivate fresh vegetables at home,” she says with a smile. “With a little effort and the right guidance, anyone can do it. The rewards are immense, both in terms of health and satisfaction,” she said, adding that compost made from kitchen waste is the primary manure for the crops in her vegetable garden. “I also use a small quantity of urea as manure when the seeds sprout and start to grow. To deal with pests and other fungal attacks, I only use organic pesticides and soap water mixed with tobacco solution,” she added.
Over the years, Beena has become a beacon of inspiration in her community, encouraging others to embrace vegetable farming at homes. She often shares her knowledge and experience with neighbours and friends, conducting informal workshops and offering tips on starting and maintaining a vegetable garden.
Her vegetable garden is not just a source of fresh vegetables but also a symbol of the potential each of us has to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
