Visakhapatnam: School-going children K. Niveditha, R Prem Noor and Anshika Pandey, among others, had a joyful and educational experience learning plant nutrition.
They discovered how everyday kitchen items such as rice water, dal water, used coffee grounds, vegetable peels, Neem powder and ash can be transformed into healthy food for plants. The children were fascinated to learn how these natural mixtures not only promote robust plant growth but also help protect them from pests.
They were excited to see how simple ingredients from home could be used to care for plants.
Across the city, many families are opening their rooftop gardens to children, turning them into lively classrooms. On Sundays and school holidays, these gardeners teach children how to grow vegetables, care for plants and understand the changing seasons.
The rooftop becomes a space where learning occurs through touch, smell and observation.
Terrace gardener T Manormani welcomed a group of children to her garden and patiently explained how to make compost using kitchen waste. She demonstrated how to prepare bio-fertilizers at home and discussed the benefits of using materials such as used coffee powder, fruit peels, Neem leaves, jaggery, vermin-compost, cocoa powder, vegetable peel and eggshell waste.
She also explained how earthworms help improve soil health. The children were fascinated when she mixed eggshell powder with jaggery and kitchen waste to create a potent nutrient drink for plants. They were amazed when she demonstrated how to grow microgreens using only water.
Young learners, such as K Saranya (Class 2), K Binti (Nursery), and D Medhaswi (Class 6), enjoyed preparing the potting mix. They carefully layered stones, soil, compost, cattle manure, ash, charcoal powder, Neem leaves and coco peat to create a light and rich soil blend. They then planted chrysanthemum flowers with great enthusiasm.
The children prepared their own pots, planted seedlings and taught each other how to place seeds correctly. They shared the names of different vegetable seeds and explained which side should face down. They keenly observed the vegetables, greens and fruits growing in the garden.
When terrace gardener Mani demonstrated how to grow mushrooms, both the children and adults were impressed.
Older students such as P Preetam and G Deshmukhesh (Class 8) focused on growing micro-greens, wheatgrass and mushrooms. They learned how these plants support a healthy lifestyle and are easy to grow at home.
V Sri Satya Surathi (Intermediate) and G Aarthi (graduation student) participated in compost-making using the sandwich layering method. They observed how simple leaf and vegetable waste could be transformed into rich, organic manure that helps crops grow more effectively.
Terrace gardening advocate M Aishwarya stated, "These terrace gardening sessions are not just about plants; they are about inspiring young minds to care for nature, use resources wisely, and enjoy the magic of growing something with their own hands."