CHENNAI: A horticulture department outlet at Semmozhi Poonga, popular among terrace garden enthusiasts for natural manure, gardening tools and seeds among other products, has been closed. It was started about a year and a half ago during the previous government.
A senior official said the outlet also sold tea and coffee brought from Udhagamandalam apart from jams and chocolates made by the department at its Madhavaram unit, along with ornamental plants and vermicomposting mix. Kodambakkam resident C Murali, a regular customer, said the manure was effective and resulted in good banana yield at his house. The small garden tools purchased there were also helpful, he said.
Another regular buyer, Meera of Valasaravakkam, said one of the items at the outlet — a package comprising a small quantity of manure, seeds of a few vegetables and a booklet on terrace gardening — was helpful.
A senior official on condition of anonymity said the department wanted to make over the entire garden, which had a huge undergrowth of vegetation, and the outlet had to be redesigned. “The sprucing up of the garden has been completed,” he said.
The new design for the outlet is being developed. Once completed the department will call for tenders to set up the outlet. “The work is expected to be completed within six months,” he added.
