In'sensed'

When I started the green house, I knew nothing (I’m only marginally better off now). What I also didn’t know was how deeply engrossed I’d get to be in the venture. And how, each sense of mine would be unexpectedly jolted (mostly pleasantly).

So the approach to the green house is preceded by the faithful hum of the three aeration pumps, quietly raising breath-giving bubbles inside the three raft systems.

Just as you enter inside, a riotous mêlée of aromas assails. Tomatoes exude a strong primal smell of pollination and new life.

 Mixed with that is the subtle yet unmistakable scent from the basil leaves, reminding you of  Al Fresco lunches, clear skies and a whiff of Mediterranean climes.

As accompaniment then is the singular smell of oregano, as long as you are willing to go and gently rub the herb between your fingers.

  

On the issue of touching and feeling then, you as if involuntarily get drawn to the lush leaves of the spinach/ swiss chard. It’s difficult not to feel the texture, thickness, the very life of these greens. And in the same flow an impulsive plucking of a leaf now and then, just for the sake of crunch and juice in your mouth. 

This incidentally is what I collected for the weekend.

 And then the colour. As a child, an old gentleman tried to teach me to paint. I was fascinated primarily by two things. The way his very large hands worked so surely on paper. And, that life on drawing sheets was far beyond the 6 basic colours Camlin offered. For instance blue could be Prussian, Ultramarine, Cobalt etc. Or yellow could be Ochre, Lemon, Chrome etc. In line with that, I propose to introduce a variation in green…'Baby Green Unsullied'. The inspiration being this young cherry tomato plant.

  

Or Basil Burnt Crimson because of …

 Coming then to the spicy life for Aphids. My last post showed how I intended to spray the affected plants with strained water which had an overnight immersion of about 4 very hot green chillies. It worked, but just a little bit. Next I collected about a kilogram of neem leaves.

I put them in about 5 litres of water and allowed it to boil. On cooling, I strained the liquid. This is what remained of the leaves.

This is what I collected.

I’ve sprayed the same regularly for the last three days. It looks like working, though very gradually. Would need to check for another few days, else I’d look for something else. More on that later.