Shanti and Puspa's BS2 Garden

Shanti and Puspa live in BS2 with their two children aged 13 and 18. Since moving into the house in 2020, Shanti has really enjoyed her garden, nurturing it everyday bringing happiness to the family and passers-by in so many ways. Their back garden backs onto a local park, which is also connected to the Bristol to Bath cycle path.

Shanti grew up on farming land in the countryside in Nepal. She worked on the land, learning how to grow rice, wheat, sweetcorn, holy basil and much more. These crops were stored in a room in the house she grew up in and then sold locally. Growing plants was part of her upbringing and taught her where food came from and key gardening skills.

There are so many motivations and benefits to spending time in the garden mentally, spiritually, physically and economically, as Shanti explains:

• Less screen time for people of all ages.
• Enjoyment, happiness and excitement for all who see the garden.
• Conversations start with neighbours and passers-by, with compliments and questions about the plants.
• Self satisfaction, knowing you have nurtured life.
• Mental health benefits of connecting with nature and creating healthy daily habits to care for something.
• Food and herb growing, encouraging wildlife.
• Learning where food comes from.

Everything grown in their garden holds meaning and reason, with various benefits. It is inspiring to hear the passion and enthusiasm. All space is used in the front and back gardens.

Sunflowers – 6m high with support! Beautiful Dahlia’s are grown.

Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal, beautiful and reminiscent of where Shanti and Puspa grew up.

Spinach, potatoes, peppers, runner beans, mustard seeds and tomatoes can be grown and eaten. These healthy foods are eaten organically with huge savings economically and also sustainably in terms of reduced plastic packaging. All are easily grown in the ground or in pots.

TIP: Recycle unwanted objects as support for plants, such as an old clothes horse and old bed frame.

Pots are ideal to grow vegetables and plants on a patio, plus you can easily transport them indoors in needed. All space is available in the garden, especially when growing upwards.

Their son, Hemant, age 13, took on his own project to grow oranges from seed. YouTube provided instructions to germinate the seed with a wet paper towel, which worked well. He cared for the plant and was proud of the successful results, his plant was displayed at the Overstorey project in Broadmead, triumphantly inspiring other people to also try this.

Shanti and Puspa’s daughter, Hemlata, age 18 started and developed a nature club during lockdown to encourage local children to grow plants. She received funding in order to pursue this project and inspired many children in the process inspiration came from Shanti's gardening skills, which they have both shared with more people. The funding made it possible to purchase pots, compost and seeds.

Hemlata gave her time, energy and knowledge to inspire other local children, encouraging useful, sustainable and rewarding gardening skills, inspiring future interest in nature and also encouraging their families to learn and grow as well.

Newtown Nature Club