We can make our green city

By: Sarbjit Singh Reen 

We can make our green city if we pay little bit attention towards this, more over we have pollulated atmosphere to the extent that now we need to plant trees everywhere, wherever possible and only then we can think of slowing down the climate change. In such circumstances whatever space we have, we should go for plantation. But to plant forest trees in close vicinity of houses in privately owned lands is not a good idea. In such circumstances we can go for small high density orchards (Mango) around the houses, but if space is too small then planting of grape vine seems to be the best idea. you can plant grape vine even in 3feet by 3 feet space near your porch area or near the gate or somewhere else and then let it grow up the terrace of the house and there, just fix 4inch by four inch chianlink in the area of 10feetx10feet if you have long sticks of 10 feet length, then 20 such sticks will serve the purpose and just make a mesh of it at the height of 5 feet on the terrace. This area will be shaded during summer months and will not allow your room under this area to grow hot and in winter there will be no leaves on the vine and area under it will be sunny and u can bask under it. One can easily produce at least 40 kg of excellent grapes from this much of space. Before going for such a planting it is better to consult Horticulture Development Officer of your area and also show him the space you have and take his recommendations seriously, but if terrace is covered with inclined roof as it is mostly in Kashmir then just train it along the fore wall of the house.
Do proper pit digging.
Dig out the pits in October November a month before planting and keep top soil (1 ½ ft.) to the right side of the pit and bottom (1 ½ ft.) to the left side of the pit. Allow the pit for exposure to sun at least for two weeks before filling the pits to control soil born pest and diseases.
Pit filling – fill the pits with top soil mixed with 15 kgs of Farm Yard Manure .(FYM) + 1/2 kg DAP and also add 50ml cloropyriphos in 10 lt of water to every pit. Fill the pits with the soil at least 6’’ above the ground level so that when the soil settles it will be at the ground level at planting.
Planting- Planting is done from Dec to March. Early plantation is desirable. Irrigation to newly planted vines is necessary for getting higher survival rate. Purchase the best quality vine from the market or consult Horticulture officer of your area, he will help you or sometime may arrange vine from the Govt nursery on payment if stock exists there.
Best time for planting is Dec to March, but if you find potted plants or the plants with earth ball intact then just plant them any time of the year. In cities where space is the main problem there if you plant grape vine it will serve all the purposes, it cleans air, it catches dust and even soften the hard looks of concrete which is everywhere in cities. Planting two such vines including the cost of vines, Pit digging, DAP, FYM and labour will not cost more than Rs 120. Once the vines start growing and reach the terrace then again consult your Horticulture Officer so that he tells you something about training and pruning of vine. After that just enjoy sweet grapes that in market will cost you never less than Rs 100 per kg and side by breathe in clean air and also make contributions in making your city green and clean.