Laila Karim

Rooftop gardening ideas

After a long COVID break, I returned to the column receiving a request from one of our readers, Tusher from Narayanganj, who wrote — “I have a big roof that I want to decorate with a garden.

3y ago

Palliative Care: the new healthcare frontier

I came across the terminology 'palliative care' while conversing with a young couple sometime in late 2017. Being a non-medical person, I was unfamiliar with the term and other jargons that came up in that discussion.

5y ago

Boshonto eshe gechey…

Have you noticed that the celebration has already started with the changing colour of the morning sky, the sweet breeze from the south, and the smell of 'amro-mukul', the

5y ago

Letter from a reader

Allow me to thank you for the wonderful articles on plants and everything related to gardening.

5y ago

Siyara – the new age planter

It has been over one year since the day Siyara came to my office and expressed her desire to visit a nursery – home of the plants! She wanted to touch the seeds and soils and see by herself how the life of a plant begins.

5y ago

Know Dr Tree — our very own shojne!

Today, while I was plucking some shojne daata/pods from our roof top garden, I just felt like sharing the thrill with my readers. I know many of you are fans of this yummy vegetable that has been valued by our ancestors for its health benefits and also for its place as a summer specialty. In the exhausting hot summer days, many of us find respite with this vegetable as it is soothing, light and cool enough to lure us to the dining table.

6y ago

Being alive with plants…some moments of joy

It has been about five months since I have been away from many things special to my life– from my plants, my books and songs. My regular life was halted for a while due to a family health crisis, from which I, along with my family members, have gradually recovered. I returned from the self-exile soon after receiving some beautiful bulbs of Tulips from my daughter, brought from the Shiphol Airport of Amsterdam. We know southern Europe is the home of

6y ago

Get winter veggies from your own garden!

The monsoon is prolonged this year. It is mid September – officially autumm, but the floating clouds seem inclined to stay a few more days at least.

7y ago
July 4, 2017
July 4, 2017

Small space greenery

While you browse, their eyes follow you, and sometimes you feel like talking to them too. Is it not beautiful and refreshing!

June 14, 2017
June 14, 2017

Trading with tiny hands: Do we really care?

On June 12, Bangladesh, along with other countries, observed World Day Against Child Labour, with elaborate programmes.

May 23, 2017
May 23, 2017

Our mother – who taught us love for nature!

People all over the world celebrated Mother's Day on 14 May. Although I believe that every day belongs to the mother who gave us birth and brought a new life to this world! She is always special to the mother earth and to all of us.

April 18, 2017
April 18, 2017

Dreaming Vincent's dream

On 30 March, the world celebrated artist Vincent Van Gogh's 164th birthday. To honour his memory, I decided it was best to begin with a short letter for him and to him directly, reminiscent of the song his artwork inspired, one whispering of starry, starry nights.

March 21, 2017
March 21, 2017

Rooftop Gardening: Days of Babylon to our Current Life

The concept of 'hanging gardens' fascinated me from the second grade.

February 21, 2017
February 21, 2017

Calling out to you, Begum Rokeya

I have been speaking to you for the past couple of days. I have been visiting you repeatedly in different sites, going back to your

February 7, 2017
February 7, 2017

Orchids find a new home

The famed orchid is not an indigenous bloom and came to this land from one of our neighbouring countries. Like gracious hosts, nature lovers of the country welcomed orchids with open arms.

December 27, 2016
December 27, 2016

Budapest Park – a pride of Toronto city!

This is one of the favourite places, and a source of pride for Toronto city dwellers. As it combines history and nature together, the Budapest Park is termed as a 'city within a park.'

November 22, 2016
November 22, 2016

Q&As

It has been a long time since I last wrote my column. I was preoccupied during the entire hiatus but happy to have received some

November 1, 2016
November 1, 2016

Allan Garden Conservatory

Toronto city of Canada itself could be termed as a vast park. It has more than 1,500 parks with numerous open spaces and 600 km of trails.