MY URBAN FARMING (GARDENING)

Victoria Shomade
Jul 20, 2017 · 2 min read

November 2015 started a new chapter in my life. I attended a workshop organised by @opefarms on organic urban farming where we were taught to use anything we have to start gardening or farming. We were exposed to using any available space no matter how small, to realise our dreams. I left the venue with renewed determination to praticalise what I have learnt

I bought some seedlings and seeds of vegetables, spices and herbs from the exhibition section of the Workshop. Such as Spinach (red and green), Tomatoes, Oregano, Basil, Ball pepper ,etc.

I got home same day and my urban farming commenced. I recycled and reused many items from my home such as:-

Egg Shells for nurseries

Plastic cups (disposable) for nurseries and baby shoots

Bowls for Pepper and Mint

Plastic Buckets for Tomatoes, Red Spinach, Aloe Vera etc

Paint Bucket for Moringa

Kegs (for Vegetable oil, Petrol, Engine oil, Water, etc) for Green and Red Spinach, Water Leave,

Shopping Plastic Bags for Aloe Vera

Cement & Rice bags for Yam, Aloe Vera, Vegetables like ‘Ugu’ , ‘Soko’, ‘Ewedu’

Bamboo Cuts (given this at the workshop) for Mint, Baby Shoot Aloe Vera,

Flower pots for Basils, Tomatoes, Lemon Grass, Vegetables

The journey became more interesting when I opened my Instagram page and I named it @ashabiokin linking it to the pet name only my mum ever called me before her departure 40 years ago ‘Ashabi’.

On this platform I upload regular daily outcomes of my endeavours which started attracting comments from people, the workshop organisers and co-attendees. Through this singular act I started attracting followers who were either commending my efforts or giving solicited/unsolicited advices or asking me for help for startup or asking for supply of the items I displayed. The most solicited of the plants are Mint, Aloe Vera, Basils, Lemon Grass, Spinach, Rosemary etc because of the new trend of going natural.

I also use every available opportunity to encourage people about ‘Grow Your Food Because Your Food Is Your Medicine’ . Like Toastmasters Speeches, Etiquette Lectures, Spontaneous Speches/Talks/Discussion etc

The experience has been wonderful. Harvesting always give me joy. Above all, the process teaches one patience which one develops while awaiting the outcomes.

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