Project Spring 2014

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

@Sir Munir. You can understand. The meaning of change & impermanence.

Gardeners leave their foot print behind.
Happy hunting grounds.

[Farhan Ahmed]

I will go down fighting .

Today's first winter rain reminded me of last season. Temperatures have dropped sharply everything can go in now in Full sun without an issue. All earlier seed sowing failure can be reattempted.
Despite all ....i continue to set the stage for spring, stupendous efforts no matter what....."losing a season is more precious than any amount of effort/seedlings".

[Farhan Ahmed]

Look at the colors who would want to part such lovely creatures.

[Farhan Ahmed]

I have taken another gamble today, some seedlings which were started in shade have been moved to final borders...today is supportive with rain, what tomorrow's Sun holds....only tomorrow will tell. fingers crossed.

[KBW]

Very nice preparation for spring. Impressive.

BTW, nice Gerberas too.

[Farhan Ahmed]

@KBW. Thankyou Sir

Nostalgia
I am a Karachite, though presently displaced. Today after wandering here & there for few days, i murmured...Karachi is so tasteless in terms of seasons. The same blazing Sun, Same temperatures throughout the year, occasional coastal clouds and a constant ocean breeze, high humidity but lack of rain....Not too bad overall as a package but not for gardening.
All plants here seem to be forever lived, Green & Green, not much splash of color. No denouncement & rebirth. Nurseries have nothing much to offer other than foliage or some so called Roses. Than i ask myself is it because as most plants tend to be perennials that people take the easy way out and grow such plants, that grow by themselves with least effort. Is this style for me?
Though Karachi being maybe 50 times bigger than Islo had absolutely nothing to offer as compared to later in cool season annuals. Peanuts......There isn't a single avenue where i did not find a nursery, every nook and corner, you would find plants at the entrance of every home almost, people like to have them but the question is does majority love to grow them? Yes life here is busy, not much time to pamper plants.....so lets just buy some and poke the pots here and there. In posher areas, a symbol of status maybe.
Lets plant concarpus everywhere, it is drought tolerant, trouble free and would make the city green...appears Good choice for the moment, but do i want my city to be monotone? .....yet i see some old trees and bushes and shrubs in old city areas, huge and lovely, must have been planted by old folks back then.... who had the taste.

As Karachites Say "Pakkay Poday"...hahaha
I remember when i started my journey, i planted some perennials, Someone said plant some paneeri also and i said who would do so much effort of redoing again & again....and then there was no stopping of planting those temporary annuals. What if i had looked everyday at one corner and found same plants in almost the same state...i chose otherwise, the harder path, but i think i made the right decision. From seed to bloom and then back to earth.

I wish i had the liberty to have my own La La land...........but the big dilemma is WE ALL HAVE LIBERTY BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE COURAGE TO EXERCISE IT. Someday i will scavenge enough of it.

[M Farooq]

The nostalgic account is so true. Plants are alas status symbol too :-(

[Farhan Ahmed]

Farooq Bhai. Are you a liberated Man? . Away from home, you dwell so much over plants, which is indicative how much you love to be with them yet you cant??
Are we free men? who make decisions as they desire & long or prisoners of the system.
Don't you want a la la Land of yours somewhere, whatever scheme you have in mind? Yes you do i am sure of. And for the quest of that lush La La land you will go round and round entire your healthy/young life either to find it when you are too old to enjoy or nothing at all.

What i am pointing towards is that Nature is free flowing, unchecked yet even we naturist are not, what to talk of otherwise other people.

[M Farooq]

Farooq Bhai. Are you a liberated Man? :P. Away from home, you dwell so much over plants, which is indicative how much you love to be with them yet you cant??
Are we free men? who make decisions as they desire & long or prisoners of the system.
Don't you want a la la Land of yours somewhere, whatever scheme you have in mind? Yes you do i am sure of. And for the quest of that lush La La land you will go round and round entire your healthy/young life either to find it when you are too old to enjoy or nothing at all.

What i am pointing towards is that Nature is free flowing, unchecked yet even we naturist are not, what to talk of otherwise other people.

Quite true... currently this forum is my virtual garden :-)

[Farhan Ahmed]

We need to stop living in virtual worlds and do what we like
Here replace ishq with Baghbani

Kuch Isqh(Baghbani) Kiya kuch Kaam Kiya
Woh Log Bohat Khush Qismat Thay
Jo Ishq (Baghbani) ko Kam Samjhtay thay
Ya Kaam say ashique kertay thay
Hum Jeetay jee masroof rahay
Kuch Ishq (Baghbani) Kiya kuch Kaam Kiya
Kaam ishq(Baghbani) kay arhay aata raha
aur ishq(Baghbani) say kaam ulajhta raha
Phir akhir tangh aker humnay
Dono ko adhora chorr diya

Faiz Ahmed Faiz