Vanastree

19/04/2026

SMALL BOOK, BIG HARVEST

After nearly eight years, a much-loved companion returns to a wider audience. 🌱

The fourth edition of Vanastree’s *Grow A Garden* is back—shaped by years of conversations with gardeners and rooted in the lived wisdom of Malnad’s master growers.

This compact, beautifully illustrated guide brings together everything you need to begin (or deepen) your food garden journey—from planting and transplanting to harvesting and seasonal rhythms.

Inside, you’ll find 41 species—from amaranths to yams—each brought alive through detailed botanical illustrations and practical guidance. A small book, but holding within it years of learning, observation, and care.

Whether you’re starting with a few pots or tending a whole garden, this is a gentle, steady guide to grow alongside you.

It also makes a thoughtful gift to share with friends, fellow gardeners, or to give away at events, thus passing on the joy of growing.

Every purchase helps keep this collective wisdom—drawn from generations of gardeners—alive and circulating.

_Make gardens, grow peace, cultivate a future🪴_

✨ Limited copies available

✨ Contact Books Loka at
[email protected]
98868 56364 / 98863 63531

Books Loka - ಬುಕ್ಸ್ ಲೋಕ

06/03/2026

This book is finally ready after nearly two years of documenting, listening to the inspiring women of Vanastree. A Handbook on Forest Home Gardens of Malenadu in Kannada.

It is a humble attempt to document the wisdom of Malenadu’s home gardens.

If you care about nature, traditional food systems, biodiversity, or sustainable farming, this book will mean a lot to you.

Please consider buying a copy and supporting this work. And please do share this poster with people who might be interested .

Your support will help this knowledge travel further. Thank you!
🙏

You can also buy the book from the website.
https://booksloka.com/shop/kannada/agriculture-kannada/hittala-suttaloo/

25/02/2026

HITTALA SUTTALU
A Malnad forest garden handbook in Kannada

Our happiness knows no bounds as we share our latest publication — 25 years in the making.

This handbook brings together forest home gardening wisdom from the Malnad: soil to seed, water to wellbeing, medicinal plants, food traditions, and beautifully illustrated guidance for growing at home.
A book grown slowly.
A book shaped by women seed savers and gardeners, forests, kitchens, and backyards.
A book from Vanastree.

vanastree.org

Contact our partner Books Loka for your copies soon!
[email protected]
98868 56364 / 98863 63531

03/10/2025

FESTIVE GREETINGS!

🌸 We are very happy to share that organic, open-pollinated seeds from the Vanastree Collective (Malnad, Western Ghats) are now available at Prakriti Foods, Mysore .mys

This exquisite hand-stitched & painted seed panel by Ratna Rajaiah was unveiled yesterday on Ayudha Puja — a day we honour the tools that sustain us. What better way to celebrate than with seeds, the very source of our food and gardens? 💚

Pick up these gorgeous seed packets this Dasara–Deepavali season and let’s grow joy together!

👉 Learn more: vanastree.org

12/09/2025

Dear plant lovers,

This season, home garden at Anandam Mysuru has burst forth with abundance. We are delighted to offer this through our garden sale.

Anthuriums, ferns, impatiens, spinach, bananas, papayas, Vanastree organic OP seeds and more — all ready for new homes.

Also, Tour our 3 year old garden built with rescued plants and salvaged materials!

When: 14th September, 2025

What time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Where: 246/B, Anandam, 3rd Main, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysuru

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PZfg9FhV2ADryv9a8

Please DM for a list of plants available and more details.

20/03/2025

OUR SEEDS ARE BACK AT DnG!

Exciting news for all gardening enthusiasts and food lovers in Mysore! Vanastree’s organic, heirloom seeds are back in stock at Depth n Green Cafe in Gokulam. This collaboration brings together the joy of nurturing your own garden with the delight of savoring healthy, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. Drop by the cafe to indulge in their inspired menu and pick up seeds to start your own green journey. 

Thank you Charu and family for your unwavering support!

Visit Depth n Green at 228/3 Gokulam Main Road, Near Ganapathi Temple, Mysore, Karnataka 570002. 

26/01/2025

Vasumati Akka, a long-term seed saver with Vanastree, is committed to cultivating local and resilient vegetables. The bottle gourd trellis, or chappara as it is known in Malnad, is a staple of Vasumati Akka’s household. In the rain-soaked landscape of Malnad during the monsoons, gourd family vegetables thrive on these trellises, providing vital nutrition and sustenance. This underscores the importance of preserving and growing more local, climate-resilient varieties.

For seeds of this and more varieties DM us on Whatsapp using the link in bio.
To know more about our work visit us at vanastree.org

09/12/2024

SEEDS OF PEACE & HOPE

Seeds carry stories, and seed banks and farms hold the message of resilience, hope, and survival.

We’re sharing this article about Lebanon’s remarkable seed bank — a living library preserving biodiversity and securing food sovereignty. In the face of death and destruction, these courageous stewards continue their vital work with the land, safeguarding seeds and ensuring a future of renewal and resilience.

At Vanastree, we deeply resonate with this mission, as it reflects the power of seeds to nurture livelihoods and traditions. Let this be a moment to celebrate those who work tirelessly to protect our shared future through the humble seed.

Read more here: aje.io/ks9dpz

An agroecological collective in the Bekaa Valley has built a ‘seed library’ to preserve the region’s farming heritage.

02/12/2024

CHILDREN’S LIT FEST, MYSURU

Seeds from the Vanastree collective sprouted curiosity and joy at the recently held Children’s Literature Festival in Mysuru. Our composting demo table, focussed on transforming dry leaf litter into black gold instead of burning it, captured the imagination of many young visitors.

We shared the space with wonderful companions — nature and wildlife books from Kalpavriksh, and the creative Tree of Words by Mysuru Ecofootprints, which also organises tree walks and other inspiring activities.

It was truly heartening to see children connect with the magic of seeds, the grounding power of the earth, and the companionship of books. The buzz under our shared canopy was alive with ideas, learning, and hope for a greener future.

06/11/2024

FROM THE DEPTHS OF MALNAD TO DEPTH N GREEN

In a marvellous new development on November 5, 2024, seeds from the women gardeners of the Vanastree collective, were made available in a popular eatery in Mysuru!
Depth n Green (DnG) is a cafe in Gokulam, which offers healthy vegetarian, vegan & gluten free food options. Their menu includes in-house confectionery, sour dough pizza, smoothies, sandwiches, yoga bowls and more. The owners have been very generous in offering us this chance to display our seeds in their space.
In the words of Charu of DnG — “we are delighted to support Vanastree through the on-site sale of organic seeds produced by the women of Vanastree collective”.
Within minutes of the seed display being put up, the seeds attracted visitors to take a look and take their pick.
What better place to showcase our seeds than a local eatery committed to the cause of small scale food systems and seed sovereignty.
Drop in at the cafe to tickle your taste buds and your green fingers!