Sunday 8 December 2013

Tamil Nadu Government Initiative - Update

Referring my post dated 29.9.2012 regarding Government planning to issue Do-It-Yourself Kit to General Public on the basis of specific request through application, I would like to update the news item published in The Hindu today. To read the new item click here.

21-06-2015

TNAU provides one day training on Terrace Gardening.
Fee for the training is ₹400. Lunch is provided foc. You get seeds also here.
For admission please contact 044-2628384

TNAU Information and Training Centre
U-30, 10th Street, Anna Nagar
(Behind Jaigopal Garodia School)
Chennai – 600 040

E-mail: chennai@tnau.ac.in

Saturday 7 December 2013

Companion Planting

Many plants have natural substances in their roots, flowers, leaves etc. that can alternately repel (anti-feedants) and/or attract insects depending on our needs. In some
situations they can also help to enhance the growth rate and flavour of other varieties. In nutshell, companion planting helps to bring a balanced eco-system to the garden, allowing nature to do its' job. Nature integrates a diversity of plants, insects, animals, and other organisms into every ecosystem so there is no waste. The death of one organism can create food for another, meaning symbiotic relationships all around. By using companion planting, we can discourage harmful pests without losing the beneficial allies. There are many varieties of herbs, flowers, etc. that can be used for companion plants. We should open to experiment and find what works for us. Some possibilities would be using certain plants as a border, backdrop or inter planting in flower or vegetable beds depending on our needs. We have to use plants that are native to our area so that the insects we want to attract already know what to look for! Plants with open cup shaped flowers are the most popular with beneficial insects.

Companion planting can combine beauty and purpose to give you an enjoyable, healthy environment. There are many ways we can find to incorporate these useful plants in our garden, orchard, flower beds etc. 

To know more on Companion Planting click here.

Happy Gardening.





Friday 8 November 2013

A Basic Idea-Soil pH

When any seed doesn't germinate with in reasonable time we blame the seed supplier, seed quality, climate etc. However we normally ignore whether the soil contains the required nutrients for the specific seed/plant.  To know the soil condition we have to measure soil pH level. The soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkaline in soil. 

Plant roots absorb mineral nutrients such as Nitrogen and Iron when they are desolved in water. If the soil solution is too acid or alkaline some nutrients won't dissolve easily so they won't be available for uptake by roots. Soil pH is measured in a scale of 0 to 14. Where 0 being the most acidic and 14 is the most alkaline and 7 stands for neutral. To give you an example lemon juice can be of the range of 1 to 2 signifies very acidic where as soapy water can be of a pH of 11 to 12 which means it is very alkaline.



This pH is calculated on the logarithm scale so a difference between one point is equal to 10 times acidity. i.e, the pH of 6 is 10 times more acidic than pH 7 and 10 times less acidic than pH 5.


Soil condition varies place to place.  Your garden soil pH could be different from that of your friend's garden across town.  Therefore you should know soil pH of your garden before choosing plants.  Most garden plants grow well in slightly acid to neutral soil (pH 6-7). You can alter your soil condition after determining soil pH level from the soil testing labs. You can also test soil pH yourself with a home soil test kit or portable pH meter.  How to alter the pH level, please take expert opinion.

I hope this gives you basic idea about soil pH and its effect.

I provide below list of preferred pH range of various plants for your immediate reference. Source : gardenexpress.com.au.

Plant NamePreferred pH Range*
Abelia6.0-8.0
Abutilon5.5-6.5
Acacia6.0-8.0
Acanthus6.0-7.0
Aconitum5.0-6.0
Acorus5.0-6.5
Adonis6.0-8.0
Aechmea5.0-5.5
African Violet6.0-7.0
Ageratum6.0-7.5
Ailanthus6.0-7.5
Ajuga4.0-6.0
Althea6.0-7.5
Alyssum6.0-7.5
Amaranthus6.0-6.5
Amaryllis5.5-6.5
Anchusa6.0-7.5
Androsace5.0-6.0
Anemone6.0-7.5
Anthurium5.0-6.0
Anthyllis5.0-6.0
Apostle Plant5.5-6.5
Apple5.0-6.5
Apricot6.0-7.0
Aralia6.0-7.5
Arbutus4.0-6.0
Ardisia6.0-8.0
Arenaria6.0-8.0
Aristia6.0-7.5
Armeris6.0-7.5
Arnice5.0-6.5
Arrowhead5.0-6.0
Artichoke6.5-7.5
Asparagus6.0-8.0
Asparagus Fern6.0-8.0
Asperula6.0-8.0
Asphodoline6.0-8.0
Aster5.5-7.5
Astilbe6.0-8.0
Aubretia6.0-7.5
Avens6.0-7.5
Avocado6.0-7.5
Azalea4.5-6.0
Azalea4.5-6.0
Baby's Breath6.0-7.5
Baby's Tears5.0-6.0
Banana5.0-7.0
Basil5.5-6.5
Bean (Runner, Broad, French)6.0-7.5
Beauty Bush6.0-7.5
Beetroot6.0-7.5
Begonia5.5-7.0
Bergenia6.0-7.5
Bird of Paradise6.0-6.5
Bishop's Cap5.0-6.0
Blackberry5.0-6.0
Black-eyed Susan5.5-7.5
Bleeding Heart6.0-7.5
Blood Leaf5.5-6.5
Bluebell6.0-7.5
Bottle Brush6.0-7.5
Bougainvillea5.5-7.5
Boxwood6.0-7.5
Broccoli6.0-7.0
Bromeliads5.0-6.0
Broom5.0-6.0
Brussels Sprouts6.0-7.5
Buddleia6.0-7.0
Buphthaium6.0-8.0
Butterfly Flower6.0-7.5
Cabbage6.0-7.5
Cactus4.5-6.0
Calabrese6.5-7.5
Caladium6.0-7.5
Calceolaria6.0-7.0
Calendula5.5-7.0
Calla lily6.0-7.0
Camassia6.0-8.0
Camellia4.5-5.5
Candytuft6.0-7.5
Canna6.0-8.0
Canterbury Bells6.0-7.5
Capsicum Pepper5.0-6.5
Cardinal Flower5.0-6.0
Carnation6.0-7.5
Carrot5.5-7.0
Cast Iron Plant4.0-5.5
Castor Oil Plant5.5-6.5
Catalpa6.0-8.0
Cauliflower5.5-7.5
Celery6.0-7.0
Celosia6.0-7.0
Centaurea5.0-6.5
Century Plant5.0-6.5
Cerastium6.0-7.0
Cherry6.0-7.5
Chicory5.0-6.5
Chinese Cabbage6.0-7.5
Chinese Evergreen5.0-6.0
Chinese Lantern6.0-7.5
Chinese Primrose6.0-7.5
Chives6.0-7.0
Christmas Cactus5.0-6.5
Chrysanthemum6.0-7.0
Cineraria5.5-7.0
Cissus6.0-7.5
Cistus6.0-7.5
Clarkia6.0-6.5
Cleanthus6.0-7.5
Clematis5.5-7.0
Clerodendrum5.0-6.0
Clivia5.5-6.5
Cockscomb6.0-7.5
Coffee Plant5.0-6.0
Colchicum5.5-6.5
Coleus6.0-7.0
Columbine6.0-7.0
Columnea4.5-5.5
Convolvulus6.0-8.0
Coral Berry5.5-7.5
Coreopsis5.0-6.0
Corn - Sweet5.5-7.5
Coronilla6.5-7.5
Corydalis6.0-8.0
Cosmos5.0-8.0
Cotoneaster6.0-8.0
Courgettes5.5-7.0
Crab Apple6.0-7.5
Cranberry5.5-6.5
Crassula5.0-6.0
Creeping Fig5.0-6.0
Cress6.0-7.0
Crocus6.0-8.0
Croton5.0-6.0
Crown of Thorns6.0-7.5
Cucumber5.5-7.0
Cuphea6.0-7.5
Currant - Black6.0-8.0
Currant - Red5.5-7.0
Currant - White6.0-8.0
Cyclamen.6.0-7.0
Cynoglossum6.0-7.5
Cyperus5.0-7.5
Daffodii6.0-6.5
Dahlia6.0-7.5
Damson6.0-7.5
Daphne6.5-7.5
Day Lily6.0-8.0
Delphinium6.0-7.5
Deutzia6.0-7.5
Devil's Ivy5.0-6.0
Dianthus6.0-7.5
Dielfenbachia5.0-6.0
Dipladenla6.0-7.5
Dizygotheca6.0-7.5
Dogwood5.0-7.0
Dracaena5.0-6.0
Dragon Tree5.0-7.5
Dutchman's Pipe6.0-8.0
Easter lily6.0-7.0
Edelweiss6.5-7.5
Elaeagnus5.0-7.5
Elephant's Ear6.0-7.5
English Ivy6.0-7.5
Enkianthus5.0-6.0
Episcia6.0-7.0
Erica4.5-6.0
Eucalyptus6.0-8.0
Euphorbia6.0-7.0
Everlasting5.0-6.0
Fan Iris6.0-8.0
Feijoa5.0-7.5
Fennel5.0-6.0
Fern - Bird's Nest5.0-5.5
Fern - Boston5.5-6.5
Fern - Button6.0-8.0
Fern - Christmas6.0-7.5
Fern - Cloak6.0-7.5
Fern - Feather5.5-7.5
Fern - Hart's Tonge7.0-8.0
Fern - Holly4.5-6.0
Fern - Maidenhair6.0-8.0
Fern - Rabbits Foot6.0-7.5
Fern - Spleenwort6.0-7.5
Fig (Ficus)5.0-6.0
Firethorn6.0-8.0
Fittonia5.5-6.5
Forget-me-not6.0-8.0
Forsythia6.0-8.0
Foxglove6.0-7.5
Freesia6.0-7.5
French Marigold5.0-7.5
Fritillaria6.0-7.5
Fuchsia5.5-6.5
Gaillardia6.0-7.5
Gardenia5.0-6.0
Garlic5.5-7.5
Gazania5.5-7.0
Genista6.5-7.5
Gentiana5.0-7.5
Geranium6.0-8.0
Geum6.0-7.5
Ginger6.0-8.0
Gladioli6.0-7.0
Globularia5.5-7.0
Gloxinia5.5-6.5
Godetia6.0-7.5
Goldenrod5.0-7.0
Gooseberry5.0-6.5
Gourd6.0-7.0
Grape Hyacinth6.0-7.5
Grape Ivy5.0-6.5
Grapefruit6.0-7.5
Grapevine6.0-7.0
Grass - Bent5.5-6.5
Grass - Clover6.0-7.0
Grass - Fesau6.0-7.5
Grass - Meadow6.0-7.5
Grass - Pampas6.0-8.0
Grass - Rye6.0-7.0
Grevillea5.5-6.5
Gypsophllla6.0-7.5
Hawthorn6.0-7.0
Hazelnut6.0-7.0
Hedera (Ivy)6.0-7.5
Heliotropium6.0-8.0
Hellanthus5.0-7.0
Helleborus6.0-7.5
Hens & Chickens6.0-7.0
Herringbone Plant5.0-6.0
Hibiscus6.0-8.0
Holly5.0-6.5
Hollyhock6.0-8.0
Honeysuckle6.0-7.5
Hop6.0-7.5
Horseradish60-7.0
Hoya5.0-6.5
Hyacinth6.5-7.5
Hydrangea (Blue)4.0-5.0
Hydrangea (Pink)6.0-7.0
Hydrangea (White)6.5-8.0
Hyperitum5.5-7.0
Ice Plant6.0-8.0
Ii Never Never Plant5.0-6.0
Impatiens (Busy Lillie)5.5-6.5
Inch Plant5.0-6.0
Indigofera6.0-7.5
Iresine5.0-6.5
Iris5.0-6.5
Ivy6.0-8.0
Ivy Tree6.0-7.0
Jacaranda6.0-7.5
Japanese Sedge6.0-8.0
Jasminum5.5-7.0
Jerusalem Cherry5.5-6.5
Jessamine5.0-6.0
Juniper5.0-6.5
Kaffir6.0-7.5
Kalanchoe6.0-7.5
Kale6.0-7.5
Kalmia4.5-5.0
Kangaroo Thorn6.0-8.0
Kangaroo Vine5.0-6.5
Kerria6.0-7.0
Kohlrabi6.0-7.5
Laburnum6.0-7.0
Lace Flower6.0-7.5
Lantana5.5-7.0
Laurel4.5-6.0
Laurus (Bay Tree)5.0-6.0
Lavender6.5-7.5
Leek6.0-8.0
Lemon6.0-7.0
Lemon Plant6.0-7.5
Lentil5.5-7.0
Lettuce6.0-7.0
Liatris5.5-7.5
Ligustrum5.0-7.5
Lilac6.0-7.5
Lily of the Valley4.5-6.0
Lithospermum5.0-6.5
Lobelia6.0-7.5
Lupinus5.5-7.0
Lychee6.0-7.0
Magnolia5.0-6.0
Mahonia6.0-7.0
Mango5.0-6.0
Marguerite6.0-7.5
Marigold5.5-7.0
Marjoram6.0-8.0
Marrow6.0-7.5
Melon5.5-6.5
Millet6.0-6.5
Mimosa5.0-7.0
Mind Your Own Business5.0-5.5
Mint7.0-8.0
Mollnia4.0-5.0
Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant)5.0-6.0
Moraea5.5-6.5
Morning Glory6.0-7.5
Moss6.0-8.0
Moss, sphagnum3.5-5.0
Mother-of-Thousands5.0-6.0
Mulberry6.0-7.5
Mushroom6.5-7.5
Mustard6.0-7.5
Myosotis6.0-7.0
Myrtle6.0-8.0
Narcissus6.0-7.5
Nasturtium5.5-7.5
Nectarine6.0-7.5
Nephthytis4.5-5.5
Nicodernia (Indoor Oak)6.0-8.0
Nicotiana5.5-6.5
Nicotlana5.5-6.5
Norfolk Island Pine5.0-6.0
Oleander6.0-7.5
Olive5.5-6.5
Onion6.0-7.0
OpIisemenus5.0-6.0
Orange Plant6.0-7.5
Orchid4.5-5.5
Oxalis6.0-8.0
Pachysandra5.0-8.0
Paeonia6.0-7.5
Painted Lady6.0-7.5
Palms6.0-7.5
Pandanus5.0-6.0
Pansy5.5-7.0
Papaw6.0-7.5
Paprika7.0-8.5
Parsley5.0-7.0
Pasque Flower5.0-6.0
Passion Flower6.0-8.0
Patient Lucy5.5-6.5
Paulownia6.0-8.0
Pea6.0-7.5
Peach6.0-7.5
Peacock Plant5.0-6.0
Peanut5.0-6.5
Pear6.0-7.5
Pea-Sweet6.0-7.5
Pelagoniums6.0-7.5
Pellionia5.0-6.0
Penstemon5.5-7.0
Peony6.0-7.5
Peperomia5.0-6.0
Pepper5.5-7.0
Peppermint6.0-7.5
Periwinkle6.0-7.5
Petunia6.0-7.5
Philodendron5.0-6.0
Phlox5.0-6.5
Pilea6.0-8.0
Pineapple5.0-6.0
Pinks6.0-7.5
Pistacio5.0-6.0
Pitcherplant4.0-5.5
Pittosporum5.5-6.5
Plantain6.0-7.5
Plum6.0-7.5
Plumbago5.5-6.5
Podocarpus5.0-6.5
Poinsettia6.0-7.5
Poligonum6.0-7.5
Polyanthus6.0-7.5
Polyscias6.0-7.5
Pomegranate5.5-6.5
Poppy6.0-7.5
Portulaca5.5-7.5
Potato4.5-6.0
Potato-Sweet5.5-6.0
Pothos5.0-6.0
Prayer Plant5.0-6.0
Primrose5.5-6.5
Primula6.0-7.5
Privet6.0-7.0
Prunella6.0-7.5
Prunus6.5-7.5
Pumpkin5.5-7.5
Puncia5.5-6.5
Pyracantha5.0-6.0
Pyrethrum6.0-7.5
Quince6.0-7.5
Radish6.0-7.0
Raspberry5.0-6.5
Rhododendron4.5-6.0
Rhubarb5.5-7.0
Rice5.0-6.5
Rose - Climbing6.0-7.0
Rose - Hybrid Tea5.5-7.0
Rose - RamblIng5.5-7.0
Rosemary5.0-6.0
Rubber Plant5.0-6.0
Sage5.5-6.5
Salvia6.0-7.5
Sansevieria4.5-7.0
Santpaulia6.0-7.0
Saxifraga6.0-8.0
Scabiosa5.0-7.5
SchizanthUs6.0-7.0
Scilla6.0-8.0
Sea Grape5.0-6.5
Sedum6.0-8.0
Selaginella6.0-7.0
Senecio6.0-7.0
Shallot5.5-7.0
Shrimp Plant5.5-6.5
Snapdragon5.5-7.0
Snowdrop6.0-8.0
Soapwort6.0-7.5
Sorghum5.5-75
Soyabean5.5-6.5
Spanish Bayonet5.5-7.0
Spearmint55-7.5
Speedwell5.5-6.5
Spider Plant6.0-7.5
Spinach6.0-7.5
Spirea6.0-7.5
Spruce4.0-5.0
Star of Bethlehem6.0-8.0
Stock6.0-7.5
Stonecrop6.5-7.5
Strawberry5.0-7.5
Succulents5.0-6.5
Sumach5.0-6.5
Sunflower6.0-7.5
Swede5.5-7.0
Sweet William6.0-7.5
Syringa6.0-8.0
Tamarix6.5-8.0
Thunbergia5.5-7.5
Thyme5.5-7.0
Tobacco5.5-7.5
Tomato5.5-7.5
TrillIum5.0-6.5
Tulip6.0-7.0
Turk's Cap6.0-7.0
Turnip5.5-7.0
Umbrella Tree5.0-7.5
Velvet Plant5.5-6.5
Venus Flytrap4.0-5.0
Verbena6.0-8.0
Viburnum5.0-7.5
Vinca6.0-7.5
Viola5.5-6.5
Violet5.0-7.5
Violet Flame6.0-7.0
Virginia Creeper5.0-7.5
Wallflower5.5-7.5
Wandering Jew5.0-6.0
Water Cress6.0-8.0
Water Lily5.5-6.5
Watermelon5.5-6.5
Weeping Fig5.0-6.0
Weyela6.0-7.0
Winter Creeper5.5-7.0
Wistine6.0-8.0
Yucca6.0-8.0
Zebra Plant5.0-6.0
Zinna5.5-7.5

* The table above is not an exhaustive list of plants. Although the suggested preferred range is believed to be reasonable accurate, it should only be used as a general guide and a professional should be consulted if necessary for advice on the requirements of specific plants in a specific soil type.

 Do post your comments.

Monday 4 November 2013

Do It Yourself Kit, Horticulture Department, Tamil Nadu Government

Referring to my earlier post dated 29-3-2013 regarding initiative of Tamil Nadu Government to provide "Do It Yourself Kit ", which may contain 20 UV sterilized 200 micron thickness polythene bags, 15kg of coir pith and manure, seeds for vegetables and greens, besides instruments, organic fertiliser and a 20sqm polythene sheet, so as to encourage the residents of Chennai & Coimbatore to start Kitchen / Terrace Garden to cultivate their own vegetable. The kit make 20 bags available for each person at a subsidised price.

To apply for this kit click the following link and provide all necessary personal information & provide your nearest collection centre http://tnhorticulture.tn.gov.in/horti/application-do-yourself-kit



  

Wednesday 23 October 2013

My Green House

You all know that Chennai's climate is too harsh to grow cool climate plants like carrot, cabbage, cauliflower etc.  Therefore, I made green shade at my terrace to try out cool climate plants.

I covered 850 sq.ft. of my terrace space with green shade net.  To cover all the sides, I needed 1400 sq.ft. of net (appx. 75% sunlight reduction net.  There were 50% & 90% shade nets also available).  One bundle of standard size (3 mt. X 50 mt.) net costed me Rs.2.16 per sq.ft.

To support the shade net, I erected bamboo structure first.  The cost of one medium size bamboo pole(around 16 feet long) was Rs.65. There were various sizes bamboo poles available ranging Rs.65-130.

It costed me around Rs.8000/- for covering 850 sq.ft. terrace space. The requried material were bamboo poles, shade net, ropes, stay wire, clamps, nails etc. Since I did the labour work myself, there was no labour cost added.

Hope I can now able to grow my dream vegetables.  Wait and see for my next update. Bye.

Thursday 10 October 2013

Health benefit of Gardening

I need little motivation to garden because it gives me so much pleasure and health benefits.
This time of year, I daydream about getting out in the garden, pulling weeds, pruning and planting. For me, a life-long gardener, there's nothing better than seeking solace, sun and good moments in my yard.
So, when I found these 10 reasons to garden, I had to share them because they cover every good reason to garden, or at least try it:
garden%20image.jpg
1. Gardening provides exercise that seems to be lacking in the Indians, especially
Chennaiities'  lifestyle. This comes from picking up pots, hoeing, raking, and chores related to tending the garden.
2. Gardening creates an opportunity by which vitamin D can be absorbed. It only takes 15 minutes out in the sun without sunscreen to absorb a daily dose of this vitamin.
3. Gardening provides more control over an individual's food supply especially for those who are concern with food security.
4. Gardening gives an individual a reason to be outside.
5. Gardening can create social situations where social interaction can occur. Long-term friendships can develop through a common love of gardening.
6. The process of gardening can improve one's mood and reduce depression. This is believed to happen due to exercise and vitamin D exposure.
7. Gardening is a great hobby that every individual regardless of skill or living environment can do.
8. Gardening is a great way of reducing one's carbon footprint by cutting back on food transportation cost and increasing foliage on the planet that can trap carbon or become a carbon sink.
9. Gardening is a great way to reduce stress. Getting back to nature and combining this with exercise can help reduce the stress at the end of the day.
10. Vegetable gardening can improve your whole family's dietary habits by providing the first fast food, which is fresh vegetables and fruits. It has been found that if kids are involved in the gardening process they are more likely to try new foods and eat more vegetables.
Also please read more on health benefit of gardening at http://edition.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/07/08/why.gardening.good/index.html

Bio-dynamic Agriculture

Do you know Bio-Dynamic Agriculture?


Bio-dynamics, derived from two Greek words, bios life and dynamos energy, refers to the agriculture science that recognizes basic principles at work in nature and applies this knowledge of life forces to bring about balance and healing in the soil.

Bio-dynamic methods produce a living soil with increased biological activity, in alignment with planetary cosmic rhythms, particularly those of the sun, moon and planets in the fixed constellations. Cosmic energies can work strongly through a living soil down into the plant. The coordinated working together of earthly and cosmic energies is what brings about healthy and nutritious plants. Bio-dynamics is a complete holistic outlook on agriculture.

To read more on this subject, please click the following link http://www.biodynamics.in/ of Bio-Dynamic Association of India (BDAI)

Also read the article on  Pest and Disease Control in Vegetable Cultivation by Organic & Bio-dynamic Farming Methods. For the beginners, this article is useful.

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Compost at reasonable price

In my previous posts, I mentioned how to make your own compost.  In case you require compost immediately to start your terrace garden then you can get it at reasonable price if you reside near by Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Our Mudichur Panchayat has tied up with a NGO "Hand in Hand" to collect garbage from the residents at their door step with a very nominal monthly fee.

The collected wastes are dumped in the land fills located near to Mudichur Lake after segregating brown/green material.  Compost is being made at the plant located near to land fill area.  You can get compost and vermicompost here at a maximum cost of Rs.5 to Rs.10 per kg. depending upon your order quantity.



In case you require any further information please message me.

To find address in Goodle Maps, please copy past the following link https://www.google.co.in/maps/dir//12.901121,80.078701/@12.9029036,80.0761763,17z/data=!4m5!1m4!3m3!1s0x3a52f5e6ffcecceb:0x05e16f34ccbba684!2zMTLCsDU0JzA0LjAiTiA4MMKwMDQnNDMuMyJF!3b1?hl=en

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Gardening Tools

Basic Gardening Tools


Hand Gloves Gardening gloves are used to protect hands from dirt and,sticks, rocks that could cause cuts or scratches.

Watering Can - For watering plants

Shears/Hand Pruners - a type of scissors,to prune hard branches of trees & shrubs 


Garden hoe - small & big (Man Vetti) - hoes are useful to slice into the soil around weeds
 
Hand TrowelIt is used for breaking up earth, digging small holes, especially for  planting and weeding, mixing compost, and transferring plants to pots

Weeding / Digging Fork is ideal for planting, aerating and loosening, lifting & turning over soil, without making damages in compact planted areas. Also used for removing weeds.

Hand Cultivatoris used to turn the soil where plants and vegetables are planted, remove weeds from soil. For small flower or vegetable gardens, a hand cultivator can be used like a small plow to turn the earth and dig the planting rows.

Hand Weeder - is used to remove weeds and small roots.

Identify Seeds & Vegetables

Lady's Finger Seeds (Vendaikai Vidhaigal)

Lady's Finger (Vendaikai)

Cluster Beans Seeds (Kothavarangai Vidhaigal)

Cluster Beans (Kothavarangai)

Cucumber Seeds (Vellarikai Vidhaigal)

Cucumber (Vellarikai)


Bottle Gourd Seeds (Suraikai Vidhaigal)
Colour - Off white


Bottle Gourd (Suraikai)

Long Snake Gourd Seeds (Periya Pudalangkai Vidhaigal)

Long Snake Gourd (Periya Pudalangkai)

Small Snake Gourd Seeds(Chinna Pudalangai Vidhigal)


Small Snake Gourd(Chinna Pudalangai)

Cow Beans Seeds (Karamani Vidhaigal)

Cow beans (Karamani)

Cabbage Seeds (Muttaigoes Vidhaigal)

Cabbage (Muttaigoes)

Cauliflower Seeds (Pookosu Vidhaigal)

Cauliflower (Pookosu)

Bitter Gourd Seeds (Pavakai Seeds)

Bitter Gourd (Pavakai)

Ridge Gourd Seeds (Vari Peerkangai Vidhaigal)


Ridge Gourd (Vari Peerkangai)


Tomato Seeds (Thakkali Vidhaigal)

Tomato (Thakkali)


Brinjal Seeds (Kathirikai Vidhaigal)
Colour - Yellowish


Brinjal (Kathirikai)

Capsicum Seeds (Kudai Milagai Vidhaigal)
Colour - Yellowish

Capsicum(Kudai Milagai)

Kohl Kohl Seeds (Knool Kohl Vidhaigal)

Kohl Kohl (Knool Kohl)

White Radish Seeds (Vellai Mullangi Vidhaigal)

White Radish (Vellai Mullangi)

Carrot Seeds (Carrot or Manjal Mullangi Vidhaigal)

Carrot (Carrot or Manjal Mullangi)

Beetroot Seeds (Senkizhangu Seeds)

Beetroot (Senkizhangu)

Onion Seeds (Vengayam Vidhaigal)

Onion (Vengayam)

Coriander Seeds(Dhaniya Seeds)

Coriander (Dhaniya)

Amaranthus Tritis Seeds?(Arai Keerai Vidhaigal)

Amaranthus Tritis?(Araikeerai)
Amaranthus Seeds (Mulaikeerai Vidhaigal)

Amaranthus (Mulaikeerai)

Tropical Amaranthus Seeds (Siru Keerai)

Tropical Amaranthus (Siru Keerai)

Broad Beans Seeds (Avaraikai Vidhaigal)

Broad Beans Seeds (Avaraikai Vidhaigal)


Every effort has been put to give correct information.  However if you find any mistake kindly share the information to correct to same.

Your valuable suggestions are invited.