THRIVING COMMUNITIES : Sandhya Sourirajan,37, got most of her plants through swaps organized by gardening communities

Gardening communities in Bengaluru provide a space for plant parents to exchange seeds and saplings, and troubleshoot togetherEvery time he goes to a gardeners meet up, Kunal Dammala, a software engineer at Infosys carries a bagful of plant cuttings and seeds along.“Sharing plants brings me immense joy,” says the 34-year-old who is a member of South Bengaluru Gardeners: Share, Swap, Grow, a community of 2,000 gardening enthusiasts. At one swap event, Kunal traded a few marigold saplings for a beautiful Double Delight rose cutting, which has since become a centrepiece in his garden.Kunal grows over 60 varieties of roses on his 400-sqft terrace. His favourites include Pope John Paul II, a hybrid tea rose, and Camouflage, distinguished by its pale green petals. An avid gardener, Kunal believes it is important for every gardener to be a part of a community. “When I first started gardening, I didn’t even know which plants would survive here,” says the Whitefield resident who is originally from Visakhapatnam. His participation in local gardening groups has significantly enhanced his gardening expertise. “Visiting a friend’s rooftop garden filled with hanging orchids and bonsai inspired me to experiment beyond roses,” he recalls.The joy of growing plants multiples when shared with others. Urban gardening communities in Bengaluru provide spaces for plant enthusiasts to connect and support each another, ensuring companionship throughout their journey. Being part of such communities offers numerous benefits—from practical knowledge to emotional support- turning gardening from a solo hobby to a shared passion that continues to bloom with each new connection.Thomas Abraham, a gardener obsessed with orchids and succulents is a regular at the meet ups. “I’m part of four gardening communities in the city- Share Green, Bangalore Gardeners, Let’s Swap Seeds and Plants and South Bengaluru Gardeners: Share, Swap, Grow,’’ says the 42-year-old resident of BTM 1 stage.Visiting gardens maintained by others offers valuable learning opportunities. Gardening communities and clubs often arrange tours of their members’ gardens, creating a platform where enthusiasts exchange practical growing tips and expertise while supporting one another.

Lending a hand to beginners

Beginner gardeners often face numerous challenges. The difficulty in finding affordable seeds, saplings and manure can be discouraging, leading many to abandon their gardening pursuits.Gardeners of Bangalore (GOB) provides help to such individuals. “We give away seeds and plants. One has to pay postal charges only,” says Uma Rajeswari of Gardeners of Bangalore (GOB), a group which is part of Organic Terrace Gardening (OTG).The community extends its reach through social media platforms like WhatsApp. When plants succumb to fungal infections or excessive watering, or get damaged by rats or bandicoots, gardeners experience distress. “We hear them out and offer solutions,” says Uma, adding as an afterthought that images of blooms members post on the group instantly lift spirits and dispel sadness.

Noor, a 56-year-old gardener with a green thumb who specializes in medicinal plants, notes her involvement with OTG transformed her life from the inside out. “I walked out of her Government job to promote the green movement,” she says. Through the community, she learnt how collective purchasing could help gardeners save money. Noor notes that gardening is an expensive hobby. The OTGians generally share seeds and cuttings and plants, and this helped in growing a huge variety of plants. The OTG initiative encompasses more than just gardening; it promotes an environmentally conscious way of living, explains the former lecturer residing in Frazer Town. “In the OTG community, we avoid new purchases and emphasize recycling. We repurpose various items like old tubs, buckets, paint containers and water bottles. We make our own compost and handhold new gardeners in both composting and gardening,” she says. The OTGians grow more of fruits ,vegetables, greens and medicinal plants and a limited amount of ornamental plants. The community encourages creating habitats for pollinators like butterflies and bees. “Many of us cultivate plants primarily for nature’s benefit rather than personal consumption. There’s also a strong culture of sharing amongst members, where harvest is distributed generously. For instance, one might retain a single fruit while distributing five to others in the community,” smiles Noor who dedicates her time to tending to her plants and caring for her pet cat that has undergone several operations.*****VOICE BOX“I’ve a rose garden with over 60 varieties, including some of the rarest ones in India, such as the Masora, Juliet copy, Barista and Bluemoon stone. Seeing them bloom is incredibly rewarding.Being part of local gardening communities has made my gardening journey easier. I learned how to control mealybugs using an organic neem-oil mixture from a fellow gardener, which saved several of my rose plants during the monsoon. Once I borrowed a heavy-duty pruning shear from a gardening community member during rose-cutting season.

Kunal Dammala

I’ve also recently started experimenting with hydroponic culture, a soilless growing method. It helps grow stronger and larger rose plants, especially in limited space.

Kunal Dammala, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT INFOSYS AND MEMBER, SOUTH BENGALURU GARDENERS

I got 70% of my plants through swap events. We meet at Shri N Lakshmana Rao Parknear Jayanagar Metro Station. Interactions with fellow members have helped me gain insights into effective soil combinations that enable my plants to thrive with minimal care.

Thomas P Abraham

My gardening journey began 18 years ago with three native roses. Recently, I’ve had success grafting hibiscus in seven different colours on just two plants.

Thomas P Abraham, RESIDENT, BTM 1 STAGE, AND ACTIVE MEMBER OF

SHARE GREEN, BANGALORE GARDENERS, LET’S SWAP SEEDS AND PLANTS AND SOUTH BENGALURU GARDENERS

We gather mostly at my home in Ramamurthy Nagar. Our most sought-after events include composting demonstrations, workshops on plant care and plant swaps. Recently we had an online session focusing on cultivation techniques for virgin red aloe vera.

Uma Rajeswari

Additionally, our gardening community facilitates the supply of various gardening materials, including compost, vermi compost and cocopeat.The community extends to our Facebook platform, which currently has approximately 4,000 members. Our WhatsApp group remains abuzz with conversations about plant upkeep.

Uma Rajeswari, ADMIN, GARDENERS OF BANGALORE (PART OF OTG)

I cultivate various fruits in my garden, including strawberries, Natalie cherries, mulberries, and apples. My garden also features turmeric, sweet potatoes, ginger and garlic, complemented by seasonal flowers that facilitate pollination.

Being part of gardening communities allows me to learn, unlearn and relearn, and exchange experiences with fellow gardeners.

Ritu Choudhary, TERRACE GARDENER AND MEMBER, CANTT OTG, GREEN GROWERS AND ORCHID AFFAIR WITH HRS