Urban Gardening Hits Solo's Car-Free Day

Solo, November 24, 2024—Amid the lively atmosphere of Car-Free Day, filled with sports activities, food, and entertainment on Slamet Riyadi Street in Solo, a small stall caught the attention of hundreds of visitors. One stood out among the many food vendors and merchandise stalls:  Eco-Friendly Gardening Kits that allow anyone to start a mini garden at home, even with limited space.

On this day, over a hundred people visited the stall, eager to turn their small spaces into green gardens. “Our planting kits are complete, so customers don’t need to worry about finding other supplies. Each kit includes planting media, seeds, a biodegradable pot, and easy-to-follow instructions,” said Maharani, one of the stall’s organizers, enthusiastically. “We offer a variety of seeds, such as mustard greens, basil, spinach, as well as popular plants like chili, tomato, eggplant, and melon. All the seeds come from PT Panah Merah,” she added.

What makes this product special is its sustainability. The pots are made from biodegradable materials, so users do not have to worry about plastic waste. “We want to offer a solution for those living in cities with limited land. With this kit, they can grow vegetables or herbs on a balcony or small terrace,” said Maharani as she showed off the pots and seeds on the table.

Bringing Sustainability to the City
This project is not just about selling products but also part of the Wirausaha Merdeka, an entrepreneurship program from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS). Maharani and four of her friends – four Agribusiness students and one Management student – collaborated to run this initiative as part of their entrepreneurship assignment. “We chose gardening as our project because we wanted to use our knowledge in agribusiness and management to positively impact society. This is also our way of introducing the concept of sustainability,” Maharani explained.

Maharani and her team explaining the benefits of the gardening kits to visitors at Car-Free Day Solo.

Car-Free Day was the perfect place to introduce their products to the community. “Our target market is young families, housewives, and couples who have just bought homes. They usually look for ways to decorate their homes, and gardening is a great choice, especially if space is limited. We also use Instagram and TikTok (@plant.package) to reach more people,” Maharani said.

Affordable and Eco-Friendly Gardening Kits
These gardening kits are appealing because they are eco-friendly and affordable for many. “For a set of three tomato or eggplant seeds, the price is only IDR 2,000. We also sell organic fertilizer for IDR 3,000 per bottle, which can be used two to three times,” Maharani explained while showing the products for sale at the stall.

A biodegradable pot with sprouting seeds, highlighting the eco-friendly aspect of the gardening kits.(Source : @plant.package)

For beginners looking to start gardening, Maharani provides practical tips. “Vegetables like mustard greens or basil are great for beginners because they are easy to grow. You just scatter the seeds, water them, and in no time, the plants will grow,” she said. Maharani herself has proven that tomatoes can start flowering in just one month after planting.

However, as with any gardening project, there are challenges, especially regarding seedling care. “Plant seeds need to be treated carefully. If there’s too much or too little water, the plants can die. Also, mold can grow quickly if the soil is too moist,” she added. Despite these challenges, the team remains committed and supports customers with practical plant care tips.

Enthusiastic Visitor Testimonials
Some visitors who have already tried the products shared positive experiences. “I just bought a few packs of tomato and chili seeds. The price is very affordable, and I’m interested because the fertilizer used is organic. It’s very easy to take care of, and I’ve already seen results in just a few weeks,” said Miss Lina, a Car-Free Day visitor who just purchased a gardening kit.

“Additionally, it’s a fun way to spend free time. Not only did I learn how to garden, but I also became more aware of the importance of sustainability and healthy food consumption,” she added.

Maharani also shared how they build customer connections: “We always strive to maintain good communication with customers. We don’t just sell products, we also educate them about the benefits of gardening at home. We want people to feel that this is part of a healthy lifestyle that anyone can do, anywhere.”

Urban Gardening as a Global Trend and Solution to Food Security
Amid growing awareness of sustainability and healthy food consumption,  urban gardening is gaining popularity. Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that urban gardens can reduce dependence on mass-produced food, which often contains harmful chemicals. Many large cities worldwide are starting to see the potential of urban gardening to address food security issues and reduce carbon footprints. Maharani and her team believe this product is relevant to Solo and part of a more significant movement to create a greener and more sustainable environment.

Encouraging Readers to Join the Green Movement
If you want to start your own home mini garden, visit their stall at Car-Free Day in Solo or follow them on Instagram and TikTok @plant.package to see more products and get gardening tips. “Let’s start planting for a greener and healthier future,” Maharani encourages.

With a creative idea and full enthusiasm, Maharani and her team are building a business and spreading the message of sustainability and healthy living amid the bustle of the city. This project shows that even in big cities, we can stay connected to nature and contribute to a greener world.