Planting Life / By Leung Ngai-tat

**With a balcony, windowsill, or even walls and railings, you can start your planting life right away.** This is Dr. Leung Ngai-tat's green practice journal spanning over half a century, a practical guide to growing fruits and vegetables specifically written for Hong Kong. It covers seed selection, soil management, pot selection, propagation methods, irrigation and composting, pest and disease control, as well as methods and recipes for growing various fruits and vegetables. This is also a work that blends ecological reflection with life philosophy. We are accustomed to the convenience of various consumptions, pursuing instant gratification, with food coming from afar, leaving a huge carbon footprint. Growing our own vegetables allows us to understand the life trajectory of food, which is beneficial for health while reducing environmental damage. Through planting, we bring nature into our lives and feel the rhythm of life with plants. "Every time a seed sprouts and sheds its hard coat, a miracle unfolds. It will gradually fulfill your expectations for it, which is your 'faith' in it." —The hope for life is not in the distance, but in the present moment of hands-on cultivation. Full Title: Planting Life: My Fifty Years of Urban Farming Notes Author: Leung Ngai-tat, Photography. Translated by Cheung Mei ISBN: 978-988-237-385-3 Binding: Paperback Language: Traditional Chinese Pages: 284 Dimensions: 229 x 172 mm **About the Author** **Leung Ngai-tat Arthur van Langenberg** A native Hongkonger, he has lived in this land all his life, except for four years spent in Macau during World War II and two years studying medicine in the UK. He has loved nature since childhood, and extensive reading sparked his interest in planting, leading him to experiment with flower pots and packaging boxes. Over the years, his passion for planting has become a way of life, allowing him to adjust his mind and body daily and calmly navigate his high-pressure career as a surgeon. After retiring, he devoted himself to caring for his beloved plants, living a simple yet equally meaningful life, continuing to joyfully uphold his contract with nature. **About the Translator** **Cheung Mei** Graduated from the Department of Journalism and Communication at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, she later received a Cecile Leung Scholarship from the Asian Cultural Council to study at New York University. She worked as a cultural and features reporter for many years, and in recent years has focused on agriculture and environmental topics. She served as the project editor for the Green Earth's "Scarecrow" magazine, the Local Seed Conservation Promotion Project, and the "Hong Kong Seed情" short film series. She has also extended her interest in plants to artistic creation, participating in projects such as "When Humans and Plants Meet" and the "Gazing. Speaking" cultural exchange program. **Endorsements** Through describing his planting life, the author presents a colorful world that can be experienced through sight, smell, and touch. The book is full of practical tips that readers can choose as references to start their own planting life, or perhaps, among the vegetables and fruits, to cultivate a broader living space one day. —**Lam Hon-ming**, Professor of Life Sciences, CUHK Dr. Leung uses 50 years of local planting experience to introduce various fruit and vegetable varieties suitable for Hong Kong, along with small stories and tips during the planting process, and simple, practical recipes. For friends who love planting, this is definitely a rare find. Additionally, the book touches upon many knowledge, issues, and discussions related to planting. The writing is timeless and full of interest, making it a joy to read. —**Lau Wan-yi**, Former Executive Director, The Green Earth This book is like a treasure box, containing rich knowledge and experiences, guiding us to explore and discover on our planting journey. I hope everyone can read, study, practice together, and enjoy the joy of cultivation. —Dr. Ho Fu-tak, Passionate Planter Arthur's book is very useful for both beginners and professionals. When I first started organic farming, I hadn't even touched a seed. This book is not only meticulously produced but also features a variety of "East meets West" varieties that have inspired me greatly, and I have been engaged in organic farming ever since. —**Ng Bik-wan**, Founder, Organic Farm