In this era of urbanization, population is continuously shifting from rural to urban areas for work and a good lifestyle. Due to the increasing needs of people lands available are less in number and higher priced. There are more people living in relatively less space. Also, climate change is making things worse. We may be earning more and buy more but the quality of our lives has declined. The air we breathe, the food we eat , the water we drink all have been contaminated due to pollution. We can save the environment and also our bodies from this by growing plants....It may be a small contribution towards environment but can help us to live a better life.
But majority of us live in apartments and buildings and doesn't have agricultural lands or gardens to grow plants.
The solution of this is you can create a green space right in your home at your terrace or balcony.
Terraces get plenty of sunshine and also gardening is therapeutic and will help you connect with nature and also this garden will absorb carbon dioxide and helps in reducing the heat in the surrounding of your home.
Spend just half an hour in the morning and another half hour in the evening attending your plants.
You can grow ornamental trees, flowers, herbs, shrubs and even your own vegetables that too 100% organic and pesticide free.
Setting up a terrace garden is quite easy and here's a step - by - step guide:
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Plant the layout -
There are 2 ways to set a terrace garden, either you can cover the entire surface with soil to convert it to a lawn or you can put plant pots and grow plants in them.
As terrace have some space constraints as compared to a normal garden, planning the space usage accordingly is necessary.
Look for the places which are shaded and and also for areas which receive sunlight for the maximum time of the day. If you planning for any sitting area on the terrace determine it's place.
During summer, plants need to be protected from direct sunlight, for this you can make a shade. Select the place for this.
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Water - proofing - Since a terrace garden requires a lot of water, it’s a good idea to waterproof the floor, which in effect could be your rooftop or the guy living below, so that there aren’t any leaky roofs. If you are planning to start small -from your balcony – make sure your drain outlet is in order.
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Preparing the soil -
Healthy soil leads to healthy plants! Soil that is properly nourished and conditioned is the key to growing proper plants. Create your potting mixture by mixing soil with organic compost. The ideal soil for your terrace garden should neither be too compacted nor too light. The soil should have a balanced texture, crumbly soil that can retain the moisture is good for the plants.
Feed your soil with organic compost regularly. The important nutrients can get washed away from your rooftop garden soil with the rains. Therefore, it is necessary to fertilize them for a good yield. Avoid using chemical fertilizers as it will not only seep into your system but it will also harm the good bacterias and microbes in your soil. - Equipment - Regardless of whether it’s a couple of potted plants in the balcony or a huge rooftop garden, purchase the right gardening equipment. Gloves, watering cans, a hose, rakes, spades, trowels and other such tools are a must. And oh wait, the pots themselves. But we’ll get to that a little later.
- Sun - Not all plants require direct sunlight. Educate yourself with how much sunlight your baby saplings require; the ones that wither in overhead sunlight are often kept under a net or in the shade.
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Seeds - Either buy seeds from our store or use the seeds of the vegetables you buy. Check for the qualities according the plants you want to grow.
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Watering and additional requirements -
Water the plants timely and frequently (according to the season: twice a day in summer, once a day in winter, after 2-3days in rainy season). Spray pesticides and fertilizers for a fast and healthy growth of plant.
If you want 100% organic growth than use kitchen waste, cow dung etc as a fertilizer.
Quite easy to start a terrace garden. You need to maintain it by proper watering, pest checkup, fertilizer adding. Just spend 1hr. per day and set-up an amazing terrace garden for yourself.
Cost-effective Terrace Gardening:
Building a terrace garden from scratch can be a little heavy on your wallet but if you apply these smart tips your wallet will thank you:
- Reuse and repurpose old furniture of your house and turn them into containers for your plants. Old cartons, cardboard boxes, paint boxes, food containers, tables, anything can turn into a container. You don’t have to buy separate containers for growing your plants. Instead, you can decorate the free stuff lying around in your house and use them. This will not only save you money but will also cut down on your waste generation.
- If you’re planning to go big with your terrace gardening then buy seeds in bulk to reduce the cost. Bulk buying is always a smarter way to cut the cost. If you’re looking out to purchase seeds in bulk for your terrace garden, visit casadeamor.in and get best quality seeds at lowest prices
- Use organic remains like banana peels, coffee grounds, fruit peels, or tea compost to give your plants the nutritional boost instead of using chemical fertilizers. This will not only save the bucks but will also make your food chemical-free.