Rooftop Organic Farming: There are benefits to organic farming of vegetables on rooftops
Rooftop Farming is a great alternative to 'Eat Well, Eat Cheap' vegetable lovers living in cities
Are you the kind of person living in cities who face the problem of quality vegetables? Or do you find the vegetables sold in the market tasteless? Do you think of growing vegetables yourself to get rid of the market vegetables produced with the help of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides? So Kisan of India is telling you through this article that how you can grow vegetables using organic or carbonic manure on the roof of your house.
Benefits of growing organic vegetables on the terrace
According to horticulture experts, one can get fresh vegetables throughout the year by doing organic farming of vegetables on the roof of the house. The use of chemical fertilizers can be avoided in such gardening. Delicious vegetables can be grown easily by using only cow dung. In this way, apart from saving money by growing vegetables on the roof of the house like in the kitchen garden, household water and waste can be used as organic manure.
One can find the pleasure of staying green on the terrace regularly. Housewives can also contribute to their household expenses with the idea of growing vegetables on the terrace, so for many it can be a good use of free time or even as a hobby activity. Sowing of vegetables on the terrace can be done three or more times in a year.
Importance of green vegetables
Consumption of green vegetables is essential for our health. Every person must consume about 300 grams of vegetables daily. If it contains 125 grams of leafy vegetables, 100 grams of root and stem vegetables and 75 grams of other vegetables, then our body’s needs of minerals, proteins and vitamins can be met. In the present era, the lack of soil space in urban life bothers many people. Growing vegetables on the terrace can be a great option for them. This can help get rid of such vegetables sold in the market, which are grown using chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Methods for growing vegetables on the terrace
Hydroponic Farming : In this farming technique crops and vegetables are grown without soil. In this, nutrients are provided to the plants through water. It can be successfully used to grow vegetables on the roofs of houses. Salad vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants can also be easily grown with hydroponic farming. Among vegetables, turnip, carrot, cucumber, radish, tomato, peas, potato, capsicum, coriander, mint and fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberry, blackberry etc. can be grown.
Advantages of Hydroponic Method :
- Less water requirement
- Requires less space than traditional farming
- Pest and weed control
- Protection against soil borne diseases and pests
- Low cost and time saving
- The house is green and the roof of the houses is beautiful.
Neo Hydroponic Method : In this method it is very easy to grow seasonal vegetables, medicinal plants, fruits and flowers etc in ceiling pots and hanging baskets. By making a garden of pots and baskets on the terrace, in addition to vegetables, mint, basil, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries etc. can be produced in every season. With the neo-hydroponic method, old baskets, cartons, wooden boxes etc.
A layer of soil 3-4 inches thick is laid in these pots. In this, ready-made plants are planted in the domestic nursery. When the roots of the plants grow out of the basket-like pot, then the plant is kept immersed in water. By taking nutrients from the soil, the plants keep on taking water as needed for 24 hours. If using plastic or tin pots, wrap a jute sack over them so that the seeping water can be stored in a separate vessel. With this method, seasonal vegetables are ready in one and a half months. With these methods of organic farming of vegetables, you can grow flavourful, fresh and pesticide free vegetables at home.
Use of organic fertilizers and soil
Organic manure and soil are prepared from household waste such as vegetable residues, fruit peels, leaves of trees and cow dung. Store it in a container. A hole is made in it so that air can flow easily. Such organic manure is ready within a month. It is friable and soft. It has an excellent ability to absorb moisture and store it for a long time. It is also rich in nutrients, hence it is very fertile.
Kharif Vegetables
Kharif vegetables are sown in June-July. Vegetables grown in this season are Bhindi, Gourd, Bitter gourd, Chilli, Cowpea, Tomato, Luffa, Brinjal, Arbi, Guar etc. are cultivated.
Rabi vegetables
Rabi vegetables are sown from September to October. Vegetables grown in this season are brinjal, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, peas, onion, garlic, potato, tomato, turnip, radish, spinach etc.
Vegetables of Zayad season
Sowing of Zayad season vegetables is done in February-March. Vegetables like okra, cucumber, watermelon, cantaloupe, bottle gourd, tinda, luffa, amaranth etc. are cultivated in this season.
Caring for vegetables grown on the terrace
Irrigate the plants regularly and maintain proper drainage. Use fertilizers as per the need. Neem cake, Neem oil, NPV, Beauveria bassiana, Trichoderma etc. should be used for the control of pests and diseases.
Make Crop Sanjeevani at home
To protect crops from diseases in terraces and gardens, you can make sanjeevani protein at home. For fifty pots, dissolve 1 kg of cow dung, 200 gram of grain or pulse powder, half a litre of cow urine, 1 gram of yeast or 1/4 bowl of yeast in a drum with 10 litres of water and keep it covered for 45 hours. Make a solution of a handful of soil fertilizer or culture powder at 5 grams per ml and spray it in 12 litres of water at an interval of 15 days. Due to this, the growth of crops is faster and they remain free from many diseases and pests. Ultimately, good yields are achieved.
Contact us: If farmers want to share information or experiences related to farming with us, then they can do this by calling us on the phone number 9599273766 or by writing an email to kisanofindia.mail@gmail.com or by sending your recording. Through Kisan of India, we will convey your message to the people, because we believe that if the farmers are advanced then the country is happy.