Nirmala Lathi explains how she arrived at this rather unusual method of cultivation. ``After experimenting with vermiculture, my husband, Ashok found that if the roots of the plants are provided nutrients readily they do not require soil to grow. We tried this experiment with the vermiculture mixture developed by the Bhawalkar Earthworm Research Institute which converts garbage into organic fertiliser. The method simply needs any kind of garbage (other than plastic, tin, glass and wire) like kitchen waste including vegetable stalks, egg shells, peels and other odds and ends. The only preparation required is placing alternate layers of this garbage with a fistful of the vermiculture in a pot with a drainage hole. The plant (along with the mud which gives the plant its initial stability) should be placed in a hollow created in the preparation.

``While the sapling is planted along with the mud attached to it, one should not use soil thereafter. Instead of preparing the compost elsewhere, it is prepared in the pot itself,'' says Lathi. She cites a few advantages of this method. ``The advantages of this method are that the garbage does not smell. Flies and ants, a common sight around garbage heaps do not form here, thus helping to keep a clear environment. Due to the moisture released by the wet garbage, one need not water these plants as frequently as others.

The extra water drains away without carrying the vermiculture with it. The earthworms that plough through destroy pathogen, leaving behind a fertile mixture. The roots of the plants do not have to spread in search of nutrients which is readily available thus expediting the production of fruits and flowers. The method does away with the need for soil, fertiliser inputs, pesticides and so on. The plants which feed on this nutritious feed are healthy and do not get easily infected,'' she says.

Moreover, the vermiculture once placed in the garbage does not have to be put again. For Lathi who has for the past few months thrown her terrace open to curious visitors, this method of vermiculture has almost become a mission. The Lathis are helped enthusiastically by their sons who lug up almost 100 kilos of waste everyday. Lathi herself is known affectionately in the neighbourhood as kachrewali bai for her penchant of asking for garbage and has been instrumental, in her way, in spreading the good word. Every Thursday between 4 and 6 p.m. her terrace is kept open to visitors where she along with her family explain and demonstrate the method they follow. ``My main aim is to ensure that the garbage containers do not overflow on the streets. This, I think is one easy way to do so.''