However, searching an area to construct your lawn on this concrete jungle known as towns may be a bit challenging. There are many concrete buildings, roads, markets anywhere you see.
Does that imply all of the plant fanatics residing within side the towns can’t construct their gardens anymore? Well, what are the reason behind rooftops? Huummm…. Just consider your terrace lawn with all of the lovely flowers, clean natural vegetables, and end result only some steps far away from you. One can effortlessly remodel their rooftop right into a terrace lawn. It doesn’t count how massive or small your rooftop is, with the proper making plans and little efforts you could remodel your terrace right into a lawn.
It’s a delusion that constructing a terrace lawn fees a lot. There are a couple of approaches to head approximately revamping your terrace, all of it relies upon at the money and time funding you’re inclined to make.
Step 1: Assess the sunlight
The most important ingredient for growing edible plants is sunlight. Each plant is a mini factory that converts solar energy into nutrition for us through its leaves and fruits. Study the sunlight in your house. Observe which room or wall gets the maximum and how it moves from morning till the sun sets. Your kitchen garden needn’t necessarily be in the kitchen. It can be out in the small balcony or on a window grill or even in the living room. Sometimes it’s the wall that stays sunlit for a long time. In such cases, consider a vertical herb garden.
Remember that the spot best suited for growing veggies is the one that gets sunlight for the longest duration.
Step 2: Choose your pots
The great thing about growing vegetables is that it is not just about the plants, it is also about the instant accent that can be infused to the spot you choose. They can become the centre of attention and spark many a conversations. You can grow edible plants in almost any container. You could use old bottles and tetra packs or you can buy pretty-looking metallic, ceramic or wooden pots. Choose as per your interest and most importantly as per the space that you have chosen to start your kitchen garden in. You can get pots to mount on walls or to hang as window boxes.
If you have a terrace or a balcony, you can try square foot gardening in square wooden boxes. Your imagination will go a long way in making your garden interesting.
Remember to ensure that you do not sow too many seeds in one pot. Start with only a few. You’ll be surprised how big a tiny seed can become once it starts growing.
Step 3: Carefully choose what to grow
The sun should be your guide when it comes to choosing what you grow. Herbs need just 2 to 4 hours of direct sunlight and vegetables need at least 4 to 6 hours of the good stuff. Keep that in mind coupled with your personal preference.
Perhaps you’d like fresh mint to make your mojitos, or Italian basil for your monthly supply of fresh pesto? Or perhaps beans, ladyfinger, brinjal and tomato for sambar and the occasional soup? Methi, karela (bitter gourd), curry patta (murraya koenigii) and chillies are all very easy to grow too. Lettuce and spinach can provide steady stream of salad greens. For skincare and medicinal purposes, Aloe Vera, tulsi (holy basil), panfuti (bryophyllum) are great for kitchen gardens and every house should have these plants handy. Lemongrass and shankhpushpi (morning glory) will be great for your refreshing cups of tea.
Choose what you would like to grow but stick to just one or two items to begin with.
Step 4: Get the right soil
Once you have figured out your sunny spots and decided on your pots and plants, then go about finding the right soil. These days, many nurseries are selling ready-made potting mix which is a mixture of soil, compost (organic fertilizer) and cocopeat (coconut husk). You could buy ready bags of that.
However, the best way to source good soil is to ask a gardening enthusiast you know in your neighbourhood. They almost always have spare soil. Make sure the soil is allowing the water to seep through and not holding it in, as too much water can rot the roots. Keep a pack of organic fertilizer handy – which you can sprinkle in the pot to ‘recharge’ the soil every month or so.
Remember not to over water your plants. More plants die due to over watering than because of any other reason.
Step 5: Get seeds and saplings
You have selected your spot, organized your bins with potting blend and now you’re equipped to begin growing. The exceptional supply of seeds and sapling is once more your pleasant neighbourhood gardening enthusiasts. It’s now no longer hard to discover them on your constructing or your lane. Better still, be a part of the gardening agencies on Facebook. They love replacing seeds and you could be confident of best as well. These agencies becomes your help device for the whole lot associated with gardening.
You can also order seed packs and saplings from on-line gardening websites. Most metropolis nurseries do now no longer promote seeds however test together along with your neighbourhood providers and you’ll be capable of discover the proper stores closest to you..
Step 6: Watch your food grow
Once you have sown the seeds and saplings, look at your plants daily. Miraculously, they will start sprouting and will become tiny plants one fine day – and before you know it, they will flower and bear nice ripe tomatoes or long, shiny green beans!
Remember to interact with your plant daily and let the wonders of nature overwhelm you. Since it’s a small house, chances are that you will encounter and see your plants everyday. This is very good. You will be able to figure out if the leaves are drooping, if the soil is becoming dry due to lack of water, if there’s an insect attack or any other issue that needs addressing. Small houses come with their own advantages!
The times when you have to go out of town, take a neighbour’s help to either come and water your plants every two days or consider leaving plants at their house for a few days. Share your homegrown oregano and chillies with them from time to time to sweeten the deal.
Step 7: Enjoy your kitchen garden and keep learning
The more you try to grow food, the more you will learn. Google is your best friend, followed by your local gardening groups.
Once you start growing stuff, you will understand the miracle of nature that you have been missing out on. You will also realize how little we know about our daily food. You might encounter a new challenge everyday but once your tomato plant starts flowering and bearing fruit, you will feel immense joy.
And soon you will become the source of seeds and saplings, helping new kitchen gardeners in your apartment complex and in your neighborhood. You can also be someone who encourages others to use their small spaces to grow herbs and vegetables as well.
