Garden-fresh vegetables for flat owners

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 25

Garden-fresh vegetables for flat-owners. It sounds a tall order. Well, not exactly if we talk about the terrace vegetable nutrition garden model developed by experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The model uses soilless media (cocopeat) for cultivation of vegetables and herbs. It is particularly suitable for urban areas where space is a constraint.

According to Dr KG Singh and Dr Angrej Singh from the Department of Soil and Water Engineering, PAU, a rooftop vegetable garden ensures a regular and handy supply of fresh vegetables and even herbs which are basic to nutrition. The experts say this technology is of immense use to the urban and semi-urban population. It provides an opportunity to produce fresh vegetables, including exotic ones like kale, at home. You can also grow wheatgrass, herbs like mint, fruits like strawberry. It can also be used for raising ornamental and medicinal plants.

Explaining the advantages, Dr KG Singh says, “This technology produces more crop yield in much lesser space as compared to conventional soil-based cultivation. It saves water. Instead of plain irrigation, a nutrient solution is used. Even if you are not at home for a week, the nutrient solution, set on a timer, can take care of the plant nutrition. Also, there is very low possibility of insect/pest infestation.”

A five-row rooftop vegetable garden model requires a net area of 12.6 sq m and a gross area of 20 sq m, whereas a three-row rooftop vegetable garden model requires a net area of 8.28 sq m and a gross area of 12.96 sq m.

Depending upon the space available and the requirements, the size can be selected accordingly.  The vegetables produced would be sufficient for a family of two to four persons. With staggered sowing/transplanting or staggered cutting in case of multi-cut leafy vegetables, the vegetables would be available throughout the season.

The department has signed an MoA with fabricators to make this technology available to the people. The approximate cost of this model is about Rs 40,000. 

Area required

A five-row rooftop vegetable garden model requires a net area of 12.6 sq m and a gross area of 20 sq m, whereas a three-row rooftop vegetable garden model requires a net area of 8.28 sq m and a gross area of 12.96 sq m.