A hobby is an activity meant for relaxation of mind, interest or for pleasure. One such is ‘Terrace Gardening’. It is good to have at least one interesting hobby, as it improves an individual’s overall development and gives relaxation to mind. Individual is made to ‘feel complete’ and can differentiate from others. It gives additional strength to mind that makes us to achieve something better in life. Research suggests that the people who have hobbies are at low risk in getting health issues, as it gives relaxation to both mind and keeps the body active and give peacefulness.
TERRACE GARDENING:
In simple terms it is defined as “growing the plants on the roof top/terrace of the houses”. The concept of terrace gardening is seen now a days more in India and in some other parts of the world.
BENEFITS OF TERRACE GARDENING:
- It gives good and true nutritional value food to the family.
- Temperature is cool in our surroundings, so that one can breathe fresh natural air, which is good for health and makes an individual feel healthy and positive.
- Brings individuals close to the nature.
- Helps in harvesting rain water.
- It improves mental health of a person.
- Pollution starts reducing day by day.
- One can have organic produce that is free from harmful chemical fertilizers.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS TO START TERRACE GARDENING AT HOME:
- It is important to make sure whether the terrace or roof top is adequately supplied with sunlight.
- It is essential to check the terrace capacity whether the roof surface can bear the weight of the soil.
- In order to water the plants, there should be easy access to water.
- Few types of plants should be kept in shady spots, hence having a net would be beneficial.
- It is necessary to have gardening tool sets like wedges, gloves, weed trimmer, garden scissors, hand trowel, pruning saw etc.
- Containers of different sizes should be taken based on the plant size, in case for climber’s large containers with 2x2x1 feet in size is mandatory.
- Ensure whether all the containers and pots have a proper drainage system/holes, if not drill few holes.
- It is essential to make the roof to be water proof as such it cannot enter the room that is below to it.
- It is important to choose and use fertile soil, which should be mixed with vermicompost and cocopeat in equal proportions.
- Choose neat and comfortable stands for placing the pots are as such there will not be any leakage on the floor.
BASIC STEPS:
Preparation of Compost
Compost is usually an organic matter prepared from leaves, vegetable food waste. Basically any scrap from kitchen shall help in preparation of compost. These shall be mixed with soil and let it decompose for a while. It shall take 3-12 months depending on the pile size. It is regarded as “Black Gold” for its enormous uses in gardening. Although, there are certain items such as meat, oily food, pastry and human waste is not to be added.
Compost shall be far expensive if bought. Master Gardeners & TED speakers such as Ron Finley who goes by the name “Gangster Gardener” suggests in his Masterclass program as one should make compost in house to reduce landfill and use the food waste for compost which is cheaper and eco-friendly.
Compost Mix
Compost can be added with substances such as coco peat which is made from coconut fibers to boost. It helps plants in nourishing and enhance the growth. It is advised to add coco peat in little amount depending on the quantity of compost
Containers
Containers need not be expensive decorated pots, we can choose any simple objects such as old paint boxes, plastic jars, pickle jars etc. In a way this shall help to reduce the land filling of plastics, reusing of boxes and jars and thereby taking one small step towards saving future.
Watering
Use Spray bottles to water green leafy vegetables and microgreens which need only a tiny bit of sprinkling. For regular plant pots water-cans can be used to water them.
Yield
The best part of entire gardening practice is when the yield is obtained. Carefully the leaves, vegetables are to be taken without damaging the core of the plant or accidentally removing the roots part too. Prepare for another time by overcoming the challenges faced in initial stages and first time.
DO’s & DONT’s:
- Water the plants in small amounts regularly as it should be hydrated, and avoid over watering, as too much water/moisture makes the plants fall down and eventually it leads to death.
- Use lite weight soil and do not use too much of wet soil.
- Make sure to add the essential nutrients back to the soil in the pots/containers specially during rainy season as the rain water tends to wash them away.
- Do not use any sort of chemical fertilizers and prefer organic fertilizers that are home made.
DREAM JOB – ORGANIC FARMING:
In general, Organic Farming is defined as growing and nourishing the crops with the use of organic fertilizers and not by the use of chemical-based fertilizers or pesticides. Introducing the concept of organic farming is very beneficial to present generation specially, because as we all know that, our surroundings are completely polluted and what we consume or what we drink are also polluted. As such health issues are increasing day by day in present generation.
To control at least up to some extent, it’s better to switch on to this wonderful concept “ORGANIC FARMING”, which actually makes everyone be nourished with nutritious food that have high nutritional value and is also safe as it is completely free from chemicals. Many wonderful things came into existence like Hydroponics, Microgreens etc., which is grown without soil and has high nutritional value.
HYDROPONICS:
In this the small plants especially, green leafy vegetables are grown in net cups slotted mesh which are placed on the water and are grown without soil. It is one the best and beneficial method to grow the plants without soil in both indoors and outdoors. Vegetables and fruits like spring onions, spinach, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes are grown by using this hydroponic method.
MICROGREENS:
These are considered as baby plants which are of 1-3 inches approximately. They are grown on glass jars or biodegradable plastic boxes and also on any containers that are found around the house. They are very convenient for anyone to grow because they can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
Seeds from spinach, beans, and cereals such as oats, rice, wheat can be best grown as microgreens. Their taste varies from spicy to bitter or sour, which is based on the variety. They are highly nutritious.
PROFESSIONAL COURSES RELATED TO ORGANIC FARMING:
- Post Graduate Diploma in Organic Farming and Food Production System.
The course duration usually varies between 6 months to 1.5 years, as due to pandemic situation, online mode of classes is available for the interested people.
- Organic Farmer Certificate Course Online.
In this course, one can learn the basics and techniques to run a successful organic farm.
- Organic Farming for sustainable agricultural production, IIT Kharagpur.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Agriculture and Information Technology course.
The course duration is of 2 years.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
The best suggested books to learn the step by step procedure of organic farming are-
- Organic Farming – Everything You Need to Know.
Book by PETER.V. FOSSEL.
- The Gardener’s A-Z Guide to growing Organic Food.
Book by Tanya L.K. DENCKLA.
- Organic Farming Manual- A Comprehensive Guide to starting and running a certified Organic Farm.
By ANN LARKIN HANSEN.
- Organic Farming- Theory and Practice.
By SP PALANIAPPAN, K. ANNADURAI.
Each and every individual has a dream job in their mind, that they hope to achieve it definitely one day in their life. Just having it in their mind is not enough, instead of that they need to keep all their efforts in succeeding it and be as an inspiration to present generation people/youth. So, it is important for every individual to choose at least one best hobby among they have and implement it in a very better and useful way.
Once one chooses the hobby of gardening, plants shall choose them as their friends. Plants are the new pets. Just like them gardening brings fun, joy, tiredness but worth of enjoying the mother nature. In no time the saying “Cleanliness is next to godliness” shall transform into Gardening is next to godliness.
