Happy Hobby!

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I had my first vegetable garden when we lived in Hosur.  That was an independent house and we had space at the front and the back.  I grew from peas to potato and onions there.  The red soil over there was very fertile and everything grew up fast and healthy.  This was in the late 80's.

Then in my previous house in Chennai, I went for just flowers (link here).
Now, we live in a flat.  I have kept some pots with desert roses in our balconies, which are easy to maintain.

One of my friends here, took the initiative to start Roof Top gardening.  She consulted many specialists in Roof top gardening in Chennai and we started implementing it nearly 4 weeks back.

We went for 'soil-less cultivation' method.  They provide thick plastic containers as shown in the picture, with coco peat, vermin compost, organic manure mixture and seeds.  They place perforated rubber sheets beneath the basket so that if at any time, during rainy season or something, the excess water will drain out easily.  Since soil is not used the basket is very light weight.  The coco peat is made of coconut fibre.  It acts as a sponge and retains water for longer time.  We have got a small 4 ltr. water can/water sprayer.  One can of water per day per box, is enough for the current weather now.  We may have to water the plants twice a day once severe summer starts.  Coco peat acts like a sponge and so, is wet/retains moisture for a long time. To start with, we bought 5 containers/baskets.  3 of us are maintaining them. 

Our Roof Top Garden!

Starting stage.  Some sprouts of greens (paalak/spinach) can be seen.

This basket is just for paalak/spinach! We should cut the big leaves with our nails one by one (!) when they grow and use.  In this way, the leaves will keep on growing for nearly 3 months.  We can remove when the growth dwindles and sow more seeds. 

Beans plants and Paalak leaves! We can grow 2-3 types of plants in one basket!

This basket has got greens (Arai keerai), cucumber plus bitter gourd plants and creepers.

Close-up picture of the beans plant.  Flowers have started blooming!

This is ladies finger/bhindi/vendai kaai flower.  You can see 3 tiny bhindies also! Click on the pictures pl.

This is cucumber creeper.  Flowers and buds can be seen here!

I did paalak paneer (link) yesterday.  Before cooking, I ate some raw leaves which were very tasty:) It was a happy feeling, growing our own vegetables and using them at home!

Paalak/spinach leaves.  I plucked them yesterday and did Paalak paneer!

Added this picture now (4.3.15) to show the rubber mat with holes, beneath the plastic box/trough, which will protect the flooring when it rains.  The box will not stick to the bottom flooring.

Mr. Radhakrishnan (Besant nagar, Chennai) was the consultant for us and we are very happy with the results.  He can be contacted in this number: 9444620185.

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