3 Months of Thrilling experience in Nature
Over the past three months, you’ve immersed yourself in the wonders of nature, celebrating Earth, biodiversity, and our environment. What a thrilling experience it has been! From planting seeds to nurturing saplings, you’ve connected with the natural world in meaningful ways. As we transition from summer to monsoon, let’s delve into the cool, wet, cloudy and green season that breathes life into every corner of our Earth, where the five elements harmoniously interact. Remember those saplings you lovingly nurtured during the summer from summer fruits? Now is the time to plant them in wilderness.
Trekking around your home
Monsoon season invites you to explore the cinematic wonders of nature right around your home. You’ve already cultivated plant diversity by planting over 20 species at home, and you’ve nurtured saplings from summer fruits seeds. Now, let’s venture deeper into the wilderness. The intention is to discover those additional plant, insects, birds & microbial species in nature & experience their blissful play in nature.
Smell Actinomycetes for that Earthy smell
As you move forward, smell the hidden aromatic artisans of earth. Their spores, dormant for months, burst forth, releasing that unmistakable earthy fragrance. Close your eyes, inhale deeply, and let Actinomycetes weave their aromatic magic. Every year with the onset of first rains, these mystical bacterial creature gives you the pleasure of waiting for rains again & again.
Exploring Wilderness Biodiversity: From Grass to Butterflies to Insects to Birds
Start by observing the grasses around you, no need to look far. Just below your waist, you’ll find a variety of grasses, including familiar ones like Amaranthus, Coat Buttons, Creeping Sorrel, Carrot Grass, Lantana, False Daisy, and Pot Cassia. Before you head out, consider searching for images of these common weeds online and create a small collage on your phone or take a printout. These seemingly ordinary plants play a vital role in supporting countless insect species. As you explore, keep an eye out for butterflies like the Common Yellow, Slate Flash, and Pale Grass Blue. Ladybugs, beetles, earwigs, ants, and springtails are also easy to spot. Now, let’s shift our gaze upward to discover the melodious chirping of birds. Look for Oriental Magpie & India Robin, Red-Whiskered Bulbul, Great Tit, Purple Sunbird, Asian Koel, Black Drongo, Scaly Breasted Munia, Green Bee-Eater.
Nature’s Lens: Capturing Trail Treasures
Everyone has the eye of photographer; one just has to just capture the essence as see by our eyes. Here is an assignment for you to capture some of the beauty on the way to trek. Click the pics of following plants leaves found on the way. Seek out a mango tree along the trail & observe the glossy green leaves. Look for the sacred peepal tree. Notice its heart-shaped leaves with prominent veins. Zoom in on a neem leaf, its serrated edges and pale green hue. Lantana bushes dotting the trail are a riot of colors.
Capture their clustered flowers, orange, pink, or yellow.
Spot an insect, a busy ant, a dragonfly perched on a leaf.
Listen for bird calls, maybe a cheerful bulbul or a melodious robin.
Sowing the Summer Fruits Saplings
A gentle reminder to sow the saplings you made last month from summer fruits seeds. They must be upto 5-8 inches in height with a good strong stem thickness. If not, you can wait another 1 month however this is the best time to sow saplings for them to anchor & settle better.
Greeting Cards in Nature Theme
Here is another exciting assignment to make your near & dear ones happy by partnering with nature. The Photos you clicked about plants, insects, butterflies & birds can be turned into fantastic Greeting Cards. So here is the plan. Make 6 Greeting Cards wishing about Birthday, Anniversary, Occasion from each of these themes about nature. Add a cheerful birthday message: Wishing you a day as bright and beautiful as nature itself. Share it with your near & dear one.
Home plant Care for the Month
As always while you are done all these from trekking to greeting cards, do note to keep the home plants in great shape. This month be very carefully to avoid watering as much as possible as due to rains the soil of plants remain wet throughout season. A very good test for knowing moisture in soil is inserting your index finger into your pot soil up to 1 inch. If soil sticks fully on to your finger, then it means you can avoid applying water. Then add compost & mix well. Lastly remove all yellow/brown leaves from all the plants to keep them green & fresh.
