Many people like gardening at balcony, and it’s easy to learn why. Growing your own flowers, herbs, and veggies may be a fulfilling activity that makes you feel accomplished and satisfied. There are many tips and methods to help you get the most out of your gardening efforts, whether you are an experienced gardener or are just getting started. We’ll provide you some helpful home gardening suggestions in this post to get you started on your gardening adventure. These suggestions can assist you in quickly growing a wholesome and fruitful garden, from picking the ideal area to harvesting your plants at the ideal moment.
Make a kitchen garden on the roof of the house like this
Greens and vegetables have an important place in our daily diet because they are good sources of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Nowadays all types of vegetables are available in the market but it is not necessary that they should be fresh.
Especially for vegetarians, it has become very difficult to get pure vegetables in today’s era. That’s why you can easily make a vegetable garden (kitchen garden) in the courtyard of your house, on the roof of the house or if you have any vacant land. With this you will also get pure vegetables and also you can earn some money by selling these vegetables.
According to nutritionists and scientists, an adult person should consume 85 grams of fruits and 300 grams of vegetables daily for a balanced diet. In which about 125 grams of green leafy vegetables, 100 grams of root vegetables and 75 grams of other types of vegetables should be consumed. But at present its availability is only 190 grams.
In this, selection of place, selection of varieties is ensured on the basis of the situation. The size of the vegetable garden depends on the availability of land and the number of people. Generally, 200-300 square meters of land is sufficient for a family of four to five persons and there is no need to be disappointed even if it is less, you have many options for that too.
Where can I plant vegetables at home?
In the vacant land around the house: There are many such places around our house which we can use to grow vegetables. If the soil there is hard, then first dig it and make it like a field and if possible, put fertile soil of a pond and cow dung etc. in it and plow it well. After that, by making small beds in it, you can put your favorite vegetables in it. If you have shortage of irrigation water, then you can irrigate the vegetables through pipe with the waste water coming out of the kitchen.
In pots and plastic trays: You do not need much space to grow vegetables in pots, you can easily grow vegetables in pots in a balcony or even a small empty space where you can keep a pot. If the pot is made of clay, it will be very good.
Apart from this, you can also use the bad buckets, oil barrels, wooden tracks etc. lying at your home, just make 2 or 4 holes under them and make sure to drain the water. Vegetables like tomato, brinjal, cabbage can be easily grown in pots. We can grow green coriander, fenugreek, mint etc. vegetables in tin or plastic tray which contains 3 or 5 inches of soil.
On the roof of the house: Before planting vegetables, spread a thick plastic sheet on the roof, then make a boundary wall with bricks or wooden strips, spread the soil evenly in it and also keep water drainage. By planting vegetables on the roof, your house also remains cool during summer, which will give you a lot of relief.
Which vegetables can be planted at home?
Rabi season vegetables: Vegetables can be sown in Rabi season in September-October like- Cauliflower, Cabbage, Turnip, Brinjal, Radish, Carrot, Tomato, Pea, Mustard, Onion, Garlic, Spinach, Fenugreek, etc.
Kharif Vegetables: The time for planting in Kharif is June-July. Vegetables such as okra, chilli, cowpea, colocasia, tomato, bitter gourd, gourd, taroy, sweet potato etc. can be planted at this time.
Vegetables of Zayed: Vegetables are planted in Zayed in February-March and April. Vegetables like tinda, muskmelon, watermelon, cucumber, cucumber, tegsi, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, taroy, okra can be planted in it.
Vegetables Garden benefits
Empty land around the house and waste water and garbage are put to good use.
Favorite vegetables are obtained.
Healthy, quality and cheap vegetables, fruits and flowers are available throughout the year.
It is a good means of entertainment and exercise for the family members, due to which the body remains healthy.
There is savings in family expenditure.
There is no need to go elsewhere to buy vegetables.
VegetablesGarden for planting Things to note
Choose such a place in the back of the house where sunlight reaches because plant growth is possible only with sunlight. It is very important for plants to get sunlight for 5-6 hours daily. That’s why don’t make the garden in a shady place.
Make a compost pit on one side of the vegetable garden, so that household waste and plant residues can be dumped, which can later be used as manure.
For the safety of the garden, put a fence with thorny bush and wire, in which plant vegetables with vines.
Make small paths for the care and movement of vegetables and plants.
For the vegetables to be planted, make a nursery on some side where the saplings can be prepared.
As per requirement, make small beds for vegetables and drains for irrigation of beds.
Plant fruit bearing trees on the edges in the west so that the shadow does not affect others.
Plant lawns (greenery) on the main road according to the available land for recreation.
Plant flowers in pots and keep them on the sides of roads.
Grow root vegetables on ridges.
From time to time, weeding and harvesting of vegetables, fruits and flowers were done.
Select vegetables in such a way that availability remains throughout the year.
Minimize the use of insecticides and curative chemicals, if still use is necessary, then use chemicals with less waiting period after harvesting.
Pooja Rani, Vijaypal Panghal and Veer Sain
Department of Vegetable Science
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
English Summary: Benefits and method of growing vegetables on the roof of the house Published on: 26 July 2018, 08:04 IST