How to make your garden edible

• The first instalment of Dilmah Conservation’s new ‘Sustainable Lifestyles Series’ tomorrow

The Sustainable lecture series hopes to inspire small changes in our everyday lifestyles as we deal with the very real threat of a changing climate which could be applied anywhere, whether in a residential backyard, school or community garden, a small rooftop garden or in the confines of a balcony of an apartment building! The discussion will feature practical and realistic ideas on how to transform any space to a harvestable area to inspire the everyday home gardener to think beyond their perfectly manicured lawns. 

It will comprise of two parts; an interactive discussion with Sri Lankan artist and conservationist Channa Ekanayake and agricultural technologist and entrepreneur Miller Rajendran, moderated by Sunela Jayewardene on a range of sustainable edible gardening options touching on ancient Sri Lankan farming systems to urban agroforestry to the most modern precision systems for busy urbanites. The discussion will take place on Wednesday 29 January at the Lighthouse Auditorium and Lawns, Colombo 7 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Channa, Miller and Sunela will discuss multiple viewpoints of sustainable gardening drawing from their personal and professional experiences and create an open forum for discussions and idea exchange from planning and designing a personalised space, choosing suitable plants for the climate, sun and water needs of that space, caring for the soil, incorporating waste and water management, getting creative with recycled and upcycled material, natural forms of pest control and the simple joy and fulfilment of gardening, the first step in reconnecting with nature.

‘How to make your garden edible’ will be followed by a workshop at the Dilmah Conservation Organic Garden in Moratuwa on 1 February. Join them as they discuss the different angles of gardening sustainably, grow new habits and learn to care for our own patches of earth – our gardens and backyards.  

Miller Rajendran 

Miller was a computer science graduate from the University of Jaffna. He is a tech enthusiast and a serial entrepreneur. In 2016, Miller found SenzAgro, the first Ag-tech company in Sri Lanka. As the pioneers SenzAgro disrupting the agriculture industry from the root. And for the Ag tech achievements, SenzAgro received the SLUSH Global impact Awards in Finland and Climate Launchpad in Edinburgh.

Miller is a great promoter of Startup ecosystems, Social Enterprises, and Sustainable Development Goals. He is a core volunteer member of Yarl IT Hub – a volunteer-driven Startup accelerator based in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. And he is well recognised for promoting SDG goals and entrepreneurship among school students. 

Channa Ekanayake

Channa is a professional artist and a naturalist. He has experience in designing butterfly gardens with the Forest Department of Sri Lanka and is a Guest Lecturer at the Faculty of Environment Science, University of Colombo and a Guest Lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Moratuwa. Channa has participated in numerous reforesting and organic agriculture projects across the island too. Channa currently lives in a small-scale urban forest garden, conceptualised and grown by him, where he also operates a personal studio and a gallery.

This will be a free lecture and open to the public.