Padma Suresh, a 48-year-old gardener from Thiruvananthapuram, has turned her small 500-square-foot terrace into an oasis of homegrown vegetables. Originally from the lush village of Vellarada, near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, she was raised in a farming family, where she developed a love for the land and organic farming. Over the past 12 years, she has cultivated everything from chillies to cucumbers. Through her gardening, she has found a way to stay connected to her roots, offer her family healthy food, and share her passion with others.

“We enjoy savouring the freshness of cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and other garden delights,” she says. Through her gardening journey, Padma has become self-sufficient and a source of inspiration to others.

For kids looking to get their hands dirty and learn the magic of growing their food, cucumbers are the perfect start. Here is a step-by-step guide by the Kerala gardener that parents and children can follow:

Step 1: Begin by selecting the ideal place

Before anything, you will need a sunny spot. Like many fruits and........

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