Need to train your children sustainability and the enjoyment of homegrown meals? Think about harvesting a jackfruit, the biggest fruit grown in India, proper in your yard and even in your balcony. Now image doing it along with your children, turning each step right into a lesson in nature, duty, and the magic of watching one thing develop from seed to reap.
Seems like an unattainable job? Not for Mini Sreekumar, a house gardener from Thrikkakara, Kerala, who has turned a tiny five-foot perimeter round her home right into a lush edible backyard bursting with life. She grows over 50 sorts of vegetables and fruit, together with a jackfruit tree, all and not using a terrace or perhaps a patch of open floor.
“It isn’t mandatory that you simply want plenty of house to begin rising one thing by yourself. Be it greens, fruits or decorative vegetation, one can all the time discover at the least a small nook of the home to make it occur,” she says.
Right here is how one can begin rising jackfruit at house, and make it a enjoyable and academic expertise on your children.
Step-by-step: How one can develop jackfruit at house along with your children
1. Decide the proper sunny spot
Jackfruit loves the solar. Whereas the tree grows giant over time, you can begin it in an enormous pot or develop bag. Select a sunny balcony, rooftop, or backyard nook. No terrace? That’s not an issue, as the house gardener didn’t have one both. Let your children discover the house with you and resolve collectively the place your jackfruit tree will reside.
2. Make a magic soil combine
Mini’s secret to success lies in utilizing natural and nutrient-rich soil. She collects soil from close by development websites and enhances it with pure components, ensuring it’s good for her vegetation.
“I introduced soil from close by development websites and crammed it in develop baggage and drums. I additionally made positive that I recycled the identical soil by including natural manure earlier than rising the subsequent plant in it,” she explains.
You’ll be able to train your youngsters combine compost utilizing cow dung powder, neem cake, lime, and kitchen waste. It’s a messy, enjoyable, and academic exercise.
3. Planting the sapling
Begin by buying a wholesome jackfruit sapling from a neighborhood nursery, or if you’re feeling adventurous, develop one from a seed. This is usually a enjoyable and academic science challenge for the youngsters. If you’re planting the sapling in a container, select a deep, broad develop bag or barrel that has good drainage holes to stop waterlogging.
Gently place the sapling into the ready soil, checking that the roots are unfold out comfortably. As soon as it’s in place, water the plant completely to assist it settle into its new house. You could contain the youngsters in checking on the plant’s progress repeatedly.
4. Water constantly and monitor development
Consistency is vital to preserving your plant wholesome. Water the jackfruit tree at any time when the topsoil feels dry. You’ll be able to train your children to make use of their fingers to verify. Contain your youngsters in organising watering schedules and composting. It’s a good way to show them duty and the rewarding technique of nurturing life.
5. Be affected person by way of the method
Jackfruit timber sometimes take three to 5 years to bear fruit, however the wait is value it. Throughout this time, encourage your children to trace the tree’s development by drawing its leaves, preserving a journal, and even giving the plant a enjoyable title.
“Amongst all of the fruit timber, the jackfruit tree stunned me when it had fruits final yr,” Mini proudly shares.
1. Adorn the pots and create plant labels
Let the youngsters get artistic by portray the pots and designing labels for every plant. It’s a enjoyable method for them to personalise the backyard.
2. Take weekly progress photographs
Encourage youngsters to doc the tree’s development by taking weekly photographs. They’ll watch the plant change over time and rejoice its improvement.
3. Maintain a ‘Jackfruit journal’
Let your little ones preserve a journal to report the tree’s development, together with sketches, observations, and thrilling milestones alongside the way in which.
4. Be taught to compost and mulch
Get them concerned within the technique of composting kitchen waste and mulching across the tree. It’s a hands-on approach to train sustainability and soil care.
5. Assist prepare dinner as soon as the fruit is prepared
When the jackfruit is lastly prepared to reap, invite the youngsters into the kitchen to assist put together meals. It’s the good reward for all their onerous work.
Edited by Vidya Gowri
