The love of gardening is a seed that once sown, never dies”. Mitali Puitandi’s favourite quote also happens to be the story of her life. Time was when she would pick up saplings from the roadside while walking home from school. One plant led to more and now she has what she calls a whole family of plants to love and care for. The more the plants, the more the love, she says.

The other day when we went for our Covid vaccines the queue was long and my husband was suggesting we leave without taking it. But I had no qualms waiting. The longer the better, I felt. You see, the vaccine was an excuse for me to go out. My real motive was a trip to the nursery, which wouldn’t open till a few hours later!

And so happily after getting my jab, I went to Ultadanga and brought home 50 to 60 beautiful ceramic pots for my terrace and balconies.

On the terrace, we have Hibiscus, Rose, Euphorbia Milii…there should be nearly 250 pots up there and in winter I grow Petunia, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias....

We have two spacious balconies and I keep plants there based on the amount of sunlight they need. In the south-facing verandah, there are Crotons, Snake Plants, Jade Plants and colourful flowers in hanging baskets.

The north-facing balcony receives less sunlight and so I’ve kept Cacti, Succulents and indoor plants there. I think, watching me, a neighbouring house has also filled up their balcony with plants.

I’m also fond of birds and thanks to the garden, birds come to my house despite all the construction work around. I wake up to the chirping of birds! What can be more beautiful than that?

No matter how busy I am, I always find time for my hobby. I remember one chilly winter night when I was shivering under a blanket with fever and I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t checked my plants after applying insecticide on them. So at 12.30am I headed out to the terrace with a torch.

My daughter thought I had gone mad but she now relates to my feelings. She too has started an indoor plant collection in her room. My husband is supportive as well. Today itself, he was talking of erecting a false ceiling in the balcony to enhance its beauty. This support motivates me.

If you have a garden you tend to yourself, send your address and contact number to The Telegraph Salt Lake, 6, Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta 700001 or email to saltlake@abp.in