Saturday mornings at the Farm Lab begin in the most heartwarming way — with laughter, tiny footsteps running across the path, and the eager faces of children ready to greet their green companions. This was the second day of our Seeds to Vegetables journey, and once again, the farm came alive with the chatter and curiosity of young gardeners.

After a quick snack and joyful hellos, the children were divided into two groups, just like the previous week. The day promised new experiences, earthy adventures, and discoveries waiting beneath the soil.

One group made their way to the marigold corner — a riot of orange and gold that glowed under the morning sun. There, with threads, needles, and their small but patient hands, they began to string together garlands. Each child picked marigold blooms freshly plucked from the farm, breathing in their sweet, peppery scent. What started as a simple activity soon turned into a quiet rhythm — hands moving, petals brushing, hearts opening. It wasn’t just garlands they were weaving; it was a bond — with nature, with patience, and with beauty that blooms effortlessly when cared for.

The second group headed to their farm patches — where the real magic awaited. The seeds they had sown last week had sprouted! Tiny green shoots peeked curiously from the earth, fragile yet full of promise. The joy on the children’s faces was beyond words — eyes widened, smiles deepened. They knelt beside their little plants, almost whispering to them. For many, this was the first moment they truly saw how life begins — not in a textbook, but in a handful of soil.

Guided gently, the children learned how to remove weeds without disturbing their growing friends. Weeding became a lesson in care — understanding what nurtures growth and what hinders it. Afterward, they watered the plants tenderly, watching the droplets soak into the roots like blessings. It was pure joy — a mix of muddy hands, sparkling eyes, and the quiet pride of responsibility.

Three new children joined the program this week, their curiosity fresh and unfiltered. To help them catch up, we revisited the first day’s activities — seed planting, patch preparation, and transplanting chili saplings. Their excitement was contagious. Watching them dig, plant, and smile reminded everyone that every beginning, no matter when it happens, carries its own magic.

As the sun climbed higher, both groups came together for the most fascinating part of the day — Jeevamrutham making. Under the shade of two large jamun trees, the children gathered around like little scientists of the soil. Before them lay the five ingredients — besan, jaggery, fertile soil, cow dung, and cow urine. As they stirred everything into water, laughter echoed through the air, and curiosity filled every face.
They learned that Jeevamrutham is more than a fertilizer — it’s a living tonic that nurtures the earth naturally, restoring life to the soil and health to the plants. It was a beautiful moment of connection — between ancient wisdom and young wonder.

By the end of the session, the groups swapped activities — those who’d worked with flowers now tended to their plants, and the little farmers became garland-makers. The farm was alive with joyful energy, the scent of marigolds, and the earthy perfume of wet soil.

While leaving, many children left small bags filled with vegetable peels, banana skins, tea leaves, and eggshells — treasures from their homes to be used in next week’s composting activity. 

At the Farm Lab, every seed sown is a lesson in patience. Every leaf unfurling is a whisper of hope. And every child who touches the soil learns something no classroom can ever teach — that life, in all its wonder, begins in the smallest of acts and grows best with love.