- Are you concerned about the quality of the vegetables and fruits during this COVID-19?
- Worried about the contamination in vegetables and fruits?
In this article, I’m going to cover about terrace gardening, its uses and benefits and how to start terrace gardening. Part 2 of terrace gardening article will cover the types of plants to start with and how it can be converted as a small business idea.
What is Terrace Gardening?
Terrace garden, also known as roof garden, is a garden in which we can cultivate vegetables, fruits or flowers on the balconies and the roof of buildings. With a little extra effort and interest, you can yield vegetables, fruits, or flowers of your choice and interest. This is nothing new and it has been in practice for years. However, lack of interest and time among the youngsters has forced me to re-visit this as a business idea.
Why Terrace Gardening?
You may think about why we relate this pandemic situation with terrace gardening and how it can serve as a small business idea.
Vegetables and fruits are always nutrient-rich and also a healthy choice. Nowadays, these are cultivated using pesticides and other harmful chemicals to protect the plants from germs and insects. The usage of harmful chemicals and pesticides leads the food that we eat as toxic.
Apart from the usage of pesticides, we are now equally feared about the contamination of COVID-19 outbreak in our day-to-day life. In this situation, Terrace Gardening is a fast-growing business idea that can help in plenty of ways.
Benefits of Terrace Gardening
- Consumption of pesticide-free, healthy vegetables and fruits.
- Lowers the temperature of floors below the garden.
- Increases the amount of oxygen in the air.
- Provides regular physical exercise for the body.
- Relaxation of mind.
How to Start Terrace Gardening
If you are about to set a terrace garden, the below checklist can help you in several ways:
- Research: If you are ready for terrace gardening, the first thing you need to check is waterproofing on your terrace. Make a research on the various kinds of waterproofing. Get professionals help if you need. Choose the best kind of waterproofing for your building plan and ensure that you have a good waterproof plan for your terrace gardening.
- Plan your schedule: Make sure that you spend at least a minimum of 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening daily for your gardening activity. Even if you are not interested in cultivating vegetables or fruits, you can even set a flower garden where you can grow all kinds of flowers or herbs.
- Get ready with gardening accessories: Select the right space for your gardening with the right plant containers. Make sure that your gardening tools are ready.
- The right mix of soil: Soil is the most important factor in gardening. It provides air for gaseous exchange between roots and atmosphere. It also provides nutrients, warmth and moisture to the plants and vegetables. It should have the right mix of compost, river sand, and organic manure.
- Start with simple plants: Choose the right type of plants that suit your necessity, taste and the climate conditions in your city. Start with simple plants so that you can learn from your failures. It is better to prepare a list of plants which may suit your needs and taste.
- Water it regularly: Make a timetable for maintaining and watering your plants. Water the plants late in the evening or early in the morning.
- Control of pests: Control the pests naturally so that the fruits or vegetables you cultivate will be eco-friendly. Try to make the pesticides at home by using soaps diluted with water, neem oil, garlic, etc.
- Be patient: Initially, you will meet failures. You may overwater your plants. You may not provide the essential nutrients for the soil. The seeds may not germinate. But be patient because nature takes its own time. You will learn from your failures.
Finally, terrace gardening is a simple but effective way of living a healthy and stress-free life. Once done, it will bring happiness and relaxation in your life.