Grow India’s Largest Fruit with Your Kids – Meet the Woman Who Did It in Just 5 Feet of Space
Want to teach your kids sustainability and the joy of homegrown food? Imagine harvesting a jackfruit, the largest fruit grown in India, right in your backyard or even on your balcony. Now picture doing it with your kids, turning every step into a lesson in nature, responsibility, and the magic of watching something grow from seed to harvest.
Sounds like an unattainable task? Not for Mini Sreekumar, a home gardener from Thrikkakara, Kerala, who has turned a tiny five-foot perimeter around her house into a lush edible garden bursting with life. She grows over 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables, including a jackfruit tree, all without a terrace or even a patch of open ground.
“It is not necessary that you need a lot of space to start growing something on your own. Be it vegetables, fruits or ornamental plants, one can always find at least a small corner of the house to make it happen,” she says.
Here is how you can start growing jackfruit at home, and make it a fun and educational experience for your kids.
Step-by-step: How to grow jackfruit at home with your kids
1. Pick the perfect sunny spot
Jackfruit loves the sun. While the tree grows large over time, you can start it in a big pot or grow bag. Choose a sunny balcony, rooftop, or garden corner. No terrace? That is not a problem, as the home gardener did not have one either. Let your kids explore the space with you and decide together where your jackfruit tree will live.
Make sure to place your jackfruit tree in a sunny spot
2. Make a magic soil mix
Mini’s secret to success lies in using organic and nutrient-rich soil. She collects soil from nearby construction sites and enhances it with natural ingredients, making sure it is perfect for her plants.
“I brought soil from nearby construction sites and filled it in grow bags and drums. I also made sure that I recycled the same soil by adding organic manure before growing the next plant in it,” she explains.
You can teach your children how to mix compost using cow dung powder, neem cake, lime, and kitchen waste. It is a messy, fun, and educational activity.
3. Planting the sapling
Start by purchasing a healthy jackfruit sapling from a local nursery, or if you are feeling adventurous, grow one from a seed. This can be a fun and educational science project for the kids. If you are planting the sapling in a container, choose a deep, wide grow bag or barrel that has good drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
You must use organic and nutrient-rich soil for healthy growth of the jackfruit tree
Gently place the sapling into the prepared soil, checking that the roots are spread out comfortably. Once it is in place, water the plant thoroughly to help it settle into its new home. You must involve the kids in checking on the plant’s progress regularly.
4. Water consistently and monitor growth
Consistency is key to keeping your plant healthy. Water the jackfruit tree whenever the topsoil feels dry. You can teach your kids to use their fingers to check. Involve your children in setting up watering schedules and composting. It is a great way to teach them responsibility and the rewarding process of nurturing life.
5. Be patient through the process
Jackfruit trees typically take three to five years to bear fruit, but the wait is worth it. During this time, encourage your kids to track the tree’s growth by drawing its leaves, keeping a journal, or even giving the plant a fun name.
Jackfruit trees typically take three to five years to bear fruit
“Among all the fruit trees, the jackfruit tree surprised me when it had fruits last year,” Mini proudly shares.
1. Decorate the pots and create plant labels
Let the kids get creative by painting the pots and designing labels for each plant. It is a fun way for them to personalise the garden.
2. Take weekly progress photos
Encourage children to document the tree’s growth by taking weekly photos. They can watch the plant change over time and celebrate its development.
3. Keep a ‘Jackfruit journal’
Let your little ones keep a journal to record the tree’s growth, including sketches, observations, and exciting milestones along the way.
You can make different delicious meals with your kids once the jackfruit is harvested
4. Learn to compost and mulch
Get them involved in the process of composting kitchen waste and mulching around the tree. It is a hands-on way to teach sustainability and soil care.
5. Help cook once the fruit is ready
When the jackfruit is finally ready to harvest, invite the kids into the kitchen to help prepare meals. It is the perfect reward for all their hard work.
Edited by Vidya Gowri
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