When Kausar and Mubaraka Doctor, members of the Dawoodi Bohra community of Vancouver, moved from Surat, India to Canada in 2001, their lives began to grow in new directions. He began working in computer support, while she continued her long-loved profession of teaching young children. Amid Vancouver’s natural beauty, what started as a simple backyard garden became a shared passion that brought them laughter, learning, and lots of home-grown produce.
A Dream Takes Root
Kausar had always imagined living on a farmhouse surrounded by plants and animals. “Back in Surat, I once tried to grow a rose,” he recalls, “but it never bloomed, so I gave up.” When they moved to Canada, the farmhouse dream was no longer in the books after Kausar’s surgeries limited his mobility following a spinal infection. He remained determined, though, to experience nature to the fullest in whatever space they had.
“The house we bought already had a small vegetable garden,” he says. “It felt like a sign to try again — and make something grow.”
Years later, that humble patch has bloomed with tomatoes, chillies, snow peas, strawberries, and Mubaraka’s favourite — dahlias. “They frill up like their own little bouquets,” she says. “Something to look forward to every morning.”
Learning Side by Side
“We used to plant randomly,” Kausar admits, “but there’s a farm beside Mubaraka’s school. She learned from watching how they rotated crops and cared for their soil.”
“I used to stop after classes and watch their techniques, and take down any tips on how they grew their plants,” she laughs. “When you’re really into something, you start seeing it everywhere.”
Together they’ve experimented with everything from ghost peppers to potatoes grown in wooden boxes. “You never really know what will happen,” Kausar says. “That’s the fun of it.”
Laughter Among the Leaves
“Last year we were so proud to grow five full cobs of corn,” Kausar says, grinning. “Until the raccoons came and ate them all!”
“We built a fence to protect our plants, and I told him no more corn this year,” Mubaraka interjects, shaking her head with amusement. “And then the raccoons went after my cucumbers instead!”
“Who’s going to tell her raccoons can climb fences?” Kausar teases. Both burst into laughter.
Mubaraka listens with affection as her husband recounts their gardening adventures, often laughing before he reaches the punchline. There’s also unmistakable pride in her eyes when he speaks about continuing his work in the garden despite physical limitations.
“Given my condition, I’m the designated irrigator — and supervisor,” Kausar jokes, earning another smile from her.
Family and Friendship in Bloom
Their son, Qusai, often joins in, building small additions like a bench and shed for the garden. “He’s into woodwork,” Mubaraka says. “He built the bench so his father could sit and enjoy the view.”
The couple share their harvest — raspberries, green beans, and jars of gulkand, a sweet preserve made from their roses — with friends and neighbors. “There’s nothing like plucking and eating something fresh,” Kausar says. “And when you share it, the happiness doubles.”
Gratitude in Every Season
Not every plant thrives — colocasia never took off, and a fig tree yielded only two fruits in ten years. But they take it all in stride. “It reminds you that nature decides,” Kausar says. “Be grateful for both — the tonnes of tomatoes and the few figs.”
