Pocket Garden in the Big City

I grew up in a lush green environment surrounded by patches of leafy vegetables and flowering plants. I remember our front yard covered with bermuda grass. Back then, my mom was very passionate about her flowers. 

Now that I live in the big city, am obsessed with trees and greenery. Let's face it, Manila is a big concrete jungle. Don't get me wrong, I love being an Urbanista. I like the pace, the lifestyle and the workplace. 

But whenever I find myself wanting some peace and quiet, I long for the good old days. I wish that am surrounded by plants so I can meditate, enjoy a good read or just space out with a steaming cup of coffee during rainy days. 

In between the years of my adult life, I discovered that I don't have the green thumb of my parents. I've watched my cacti plants die a natural death several times over; the memory still pains me. I even tried the hybrid types to no avail. 

However the desire to have some green in the house didn't wane. Then summer came. The sweltering heat is just unbearable. I read somewhere that indoor plants help clean the air and give off oxygen so that the house becomes cooler when the weather is hot and humid. 

Last Sunday, we accompanied our friend Bonna to the Manila Seedling Bank in Quezon Ave. We've been meaning to check out the place but we never seem to find the time. So her trip there was in perfect timing. 

We have a tiny balcony that can be brightened up with a few potted friends. With that in mind, we bought some with the advise of the garden vendors at Manila Seedling Bank. 

Went home with these.

This spot is bare no more.

This shrub cost us P75

This blooming orchid cost P75. We bought two. This one here is in the bathroom.

We also bought a cactus at P25. I feel sorry I wasn't able to buy more of it. And then those gorgeous hanging plants. Luckily, we have some palmeras (P150 each) that I've been eyeing for quite some time. 

If you're looking for some house plants, the Manila Seedling Bank is a good place to start. It has the widest selection of flora and fauna. The prices are very pocket friendly, too. Just a small note though, visit it either early in the morning or after the mid-day sun. It can get so, so hot! I was sweating buckets when we were there. No kidding. 

Will definitely go back for more cacti, hanging plants and some herbs. By the way, you can bring your own pots or buy it there so your plants are transferred/re-planted . By the time you're home, your plants are ready to be displayed. 

Indulge me as I dream to have this as my pocket garden.Someday.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Build your own pocket garden, now. You don't just prettify your place, you also help the environment. Do your share. Make Manila green again. Or your city, for that matter.

XX

Sheng

Urban Living

When I was living in a small town in the province, I'd be home by six o'clock in the evening. I had always been a nocturnal person though. Since there are very few choices for night time activities, you either choose to be a couch potato or cocoon in your reading corner. 

If we're lucky and the night is wonderfully moonlit, we'd play patintero. I think this is my only sport. Ha ha ha. It's a bonding activity amongst neighbors. Sometimes, the adults would join in the fray. 


In my teens, the game lost its appeal to most of us. Choir membership was in vogue in my time! Unfortunately, I haven't been gifted with any musical talent, at all. It's a department I so wanted to be good at. Being tone deaf is not something that can just be ignored. 

Then, almost suddenly I found myself living in the metro -- where days and nights, overlap. My non-existent social life suddenly bloomed. 

These days, my after office hours are filled with activities that otherwise I wouldn't be doing in my past life. Some nights, I go to my fave salon for a hair trim. Other nights, I'd meet up with friends to re-group, to re-connect or to re-energize. It could be just over a cup of coffee punctuated with long chats or over dinner, which is becoming to be a mainstream, default activity of choice. 

At BGC Central with Josette and Cathy.

At Aria in BGC Central.

At Starbucks Greenbelt 3.

Some nights, I'd have my nails done. Like tonight. I actually have a few minutes left to meet a friend so we can hang out at our favorite nail spa. 

Obsessing with my bangs.

Why do I all these things at night? I don't really know. Maybe it's because of the simple fact that I'd rather stay home during the weekend to catch up on my reading and sleep. 


Life is changing. The years have turned the tides of my life into different directions. The fabric of my core however remains. Am still a barrio girl that is just thrown into the arena of metropolitan living.