Malayali nurse Lijomol, who hails from Kerala’s Alappuzha district, has transformed the backyard of her home in South Auckland into what she fondly calls a “mini-Kerala farm.” According to ONManorama, the 13 cents of land behind her house now flourishes with fruits, vegetables, and flowers, from oranges, lemons, and cabbage to tulips, attracting nearly 26,000 Instagram followers.
On a breezy afternoon, she perches on the branch of an orange tree, collecting ripe fruits blown down by strong winds. “It’s like picking up mangoes in our village,” she told ONManorama, reminiscing about her childhood in a farming family. She recalls her mother handing out Malabar cucumber and bottle gourd from their garden, treasures she admits she only came to value after moving abroad.
As reported by ONManorama, Lijomol moved to New Zealand in 2014 with her husband Shivadas, an IT professional. In their rented home, she could only grow potted plants like chillies. But after buying a house in 2018, the couple built a full-fledged garden, sourcing seeds locally and online, as importing them from India is prohibited.
Her gardening tips, shared through Instagram reels, have made her a familiar face in the local community. “At first, friends asked me for tips. Then I started posting online. Now, people recognise me when I go out,” she told ONManorama.
The ONManorama report notes that maintaining the garden is a family affair. Her husband builds the garden beds, tills the soil, and edits her videos, while their children, Dhanvin (10), Dhyan (6), and Diva (4), actively help with planting and upkeep. “When it’s something we love, we always find time for it,” she said.