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Artist and ecowarrior Pallavi Jain’s beautiful landscaping and horticultural skills has won her high praise from the Bahrain Garden Club (BGC) as well as a prize in the eco-sustainable garden category of the 56th edition of the Annual Flower and Vegetable Competition.
Although the amateur gardener had potted second-place in the sustainability category, behind Bethan Robinson, she still won over the hearts of the club members with her ‘environmentally-friendly techniques’.
“I am honoured by this award,” said the 48-year-old former chemistry teacher who taught at school and at an undergraduate college for years. “It took me around three years to develop my garden as it is today. I start preparing the soil bed from September and see the results by December.
“I keep harvesting some of the vegetables till March or end of April. It’s a big challenge to keep the garden green in Bahrain’s harsh summers, so I choose the plants which are evergreen and demand less water.”
BGC appreciated that her garden in Saar is chemical free and her decorations are upcycled using an array of goods. In 2020, she had upcycled old toys into colourful garden decorations and raised funds from the sale of her pretty pieces for Sneha’s recreation centre for children with special needs run by the Indian Ladies Association.
“Since I am always concerned about ecology, the chemicals used in agriculture and their harmful effects, staying in a villa and favourable weather conditions in Bahrain winter encouraged me to explore gardening,” added Pallavi who thanks her son Arihant and husband Akshay for their constant encouragement. “I bought cow dung compost from a dairy nearby and started experimenting with growing flowers and vegetables. I am proud to say I harvested 130 big bottle gourd this year and am still counting. I grow all my vegetables organically.”
Her growing ways had won her first place in the long white radish and cherry tomatoes competition and for her handicraft. She also received a second prize in green beans and her herb collection and a third place in her collection of vegetables and normal variety tomatoes.
“For insecticides I use black pepper powder, neem leaves, garlic water and so on,” she added. “I make compost pits, recycle seeds, use solar lamps when the need arises and water my garden the traditional way by using a hose as it saves a lot of water. I also use water from my kitchen after washing vegetables.”
Her overall aim from this win is ‘to inspire others to grow their own organic vegetables and grow a garden around them if possible’.
“If I can do it, anyone can,” said proud Pallavi who received members of the BGC on March 15, days ahead of the Annual Flower and Vegetable Competition award ceremony.
The honouring ceremony was attended by Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, secretary general of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD), the Japanese Ambassador, the club board members and the winners.
The competition saw more than 45 winners, who share the love of gardening and aim to spread the culture of public participation in expanding green spaces in Bahrain … like Pallavi does.
“By maintaining a garden or even a kitchen garden, we are not only keeping the surroundings green, but also reducing the greenhouse effect,” she said. “It is a great stressbuster and we are teaching future generations the importance of growing plants.
“Harvesting the produce of self-grown vegetables gives a great feeling of achievement. It is our small contribution towards saving the ecology. Remember the five R’s of environment – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recreate and Recycle – in whatever you do.”
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