Stop planting flowers that look nice but do nothing for your dinner table. The actor’s garden in Kochi is all about utility: bitter gourd, okra, tomatoes, long beans, green chillies, and brinjal. These are the staples that end up in thoran, sambar, and curries. Identify the three vegetables you buy most often from the market and start with just those. No need to overcomplicate it. If you aren’t eating it, don’t grow it.
Space isn’t the barrier you think it is. Mohanlal manages this patch alongside a hectic film schedule, which tells you the maintenance is surprisingly light. A sunny strip along a wall or a few raised beds in a compound corner is enough to get started. Check your soil first. Stick your finger in; if it’s dry, water it. If it’s damp, walk away. Overwatering is the silent killer of home gardens, just as deadly as forgetting them.
For city dwellers stuck in flats, the terrace is your new backyard. Mohanlal has specifically recommended grow bags for limited spaces. Tomatoes and chillies thrive in sturdy pots with good drainage, provided they get about six hours of sun. Mix soil, compost, and cocopeat for a loose, airy texture that roots love. Add support sticks for climbers like long beans so they don’t collapse under their own weight. A few bags can turn a bare concrete slab into a functioning kitchen garden.
The real money-saver is seed saving. In his videos, Mohanlal shows how to harvest seeds from fully ripened bitter gourds. Let one healthy fruit turn yellow on the vine, dry the seeds in the shade, and store them in a cool, dry place. Next season, you replant for free. You’re also preserving varieties that have already proven they can handle your specific climate and soil conditions.
So, grab a watering can and a list of your favorite veggies. Start with two or three types in a sunny spot. Water in the morning to keep leaves dry overnight and prevent fungus. It’s a small ritual that pays off in fresh, pesticide-free produce and a bit of peace in a chaotic day.