  Everything that slows us down and forces patience,
     Everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help.                      Gardening is an instrument of grace.
                                                Mary Sarton
Today, we are all living life in the fast lane. Smart phones have eliminated our need to wait in the queue for a movie ticket, to wait for a cab or even visit a bank for banking transactions. We are living in the world of instant results, getting everything at the touch of our fingertips. Though we are technologically progressing,it does come to us at a cost. We are losing virtues like patience. Our patience is getting thinner. We want to have everything instantly without waiting. Hence, there is an urgent need for us to slow down.
As Mary Sarton rightly states Gardening puts us back into the slow circles of nature. It is an activity which teaches us patience. After sowing the seed, we have to wait for the mother Nature to act on it. We just can’t demand instant results. Thus gardening forces patience upon us.  If you wish to slow down and enjoy the wonders of nature, gardening is a great stressbuster.  Start small, but do give it a try.
Today, lets take a look at how to grow methi (fenugreek) leaves from methi seeds. Growing methi in pots is extremely easy.
Methi seeds can be directly sown in the soil. But I prefer sprouting the methi seeds before sowing them.
- Take a broad pot. The pot need not be deep if you want to grow tiny methi leaves. But if you want the methi leaves to grow bigger, then use a pot around 7 to 10 inches deep. Fill the pot with soil and compost in the ratio 2 : 1.
- Sprinkle sprouted methi seeds.
- Cover with a layer of soil.
- Sprinkle water over the soil.
On the 2nd day
Tiny leaves will emerge from the seeds
On 4th day
On 7th day
On 10th day
Ensure that you are not over watering the plant. Keep the pot in a spot where it receives atleast 3 to 4 hours of sunlight. Keep it away from direct sunlight.  Methi leaves can be harvested within 12 to 15 days from sowing. If you want bigger methi leaves, then the harvesting should be done after 20 days. Isn’t growing methi easy? Then, what are you waiting for? Do try growing methi in your garden and share your experience with me, in the comments section.Â
Methi leaves can be dried and stored. Dried methi leaves is nothing but kasoori methi.
Methi leaves can be used for making a number of dishes like Methi theplas, methi moong dal sabzi, methi paneer Theplas, methi murgh etc.
Happy Gardening !!
