Be a farmer in Mumbai

If you have a green thumb and aspire to grow your own vegetables in the city, the Urban Farming Show, a three-day exhibition and free seminar, is where you should head to

Be a farmer in Mumbai

With the prices of vegetables shooting up alongwith their alarming pesticide content, many Mumbaikars are veering towards the concept of growing their own produce. Now, a three-day event, titled The Urban Farming show, will throw light on how to be a farmer in the city. It has been organised by Earthoholics, a group that promotes urban farming, and Home Collective, a home accessories shop.

Vegetable farming at home, soil-less farming

“A lot of people are interested in the concept of urban farming but are riddled with queries related to water leakage and where to grow the vegetables. In a city like Mumbai, the only place where you can grow something is on your windowsill, balcony or maybe on your terrace. That’s the reason why we thought we should have a three-day affair where we will have seminars that will answer your questions on composting, what vegetables you can grow in the city and other such details. We want it to become a community practice,” says Smita Shirodkar, founder of the group.

And, for those who have absolutely no space, the exhibition has several stalls selling organic products for your home that will help you do your bit.
There will be three seminars conducted everyday for three days. The inaugural seminar will be a talk on the basics of rooftop gardening, with an architect and waterproofing expert who will help you understand the concept of load bearing and waterproofing.

If you have a garden already, and need to know more about making your own compost, attend a workshop by the NGO R U Recycling (RUR) on home composting and recycling at home.u00a0For those who prefer decorative and flowering plants, Miguel Braganza, additional director of Organic Farmers Association, will conduct a home gardening workshop on how to grow and take care of ornamental indoor and outdoor plants. You can also learn the art of tending to bonsais through their seminars.

The final day will feature a basic and advanced level workshop on growing your own vegetables. The highlight of the exhibition is Hydroponics (or soil-less cultivation), which involves growing plants with the help of nutritional water rather than soil. The talk will be conducted by CV Prakash, CEO of Simplified Hydroponics Institute, Bengaluru.

Also on sale will be indoor, outdoor, pest repellent and medicinal plants, orchids and gardening tools at the stalls. This apart, you can look out for hiring services for kitchen gardening, landscaping and erecting vertical living walls.

Till November 4, 10 am to 9 pm
At Birla Kreeda Kendra, nearu00a0Thackers, Chowpatty (closest tou00a0Charni Road station).
Call 9833390878 (for registrations)u00a0