Rooftop farming

Writer:Prajwal Magar

Dhankuta-2, Dhankuta 

BSc. Horticulture 4th sem,MRMC ILAM

Since, most of the urban resident is facing the problem due to the lack of space of vegetation and destruction of fertile soil the only solution for this is rooftop farming. Simply, rooftop farming is the process of the cultivation of fresh produce on the top of buildings major cities. Rooftop farming comprises various techniques, including Aeroponic Agriculture (agriculture done in air without soil), Hydroponic Agriculture (agriculture done in nutrient solution without using soil) and traditional agriculture (agriculture done in soil), among others. Meanwhile, traditional rooftop farming can be done with the use of different mediums like containers, plastics bags, bottles, while you can also turn your entire roof into a farmland by waterproofing the concrete.  Also simply known as, roof top farm. Its is becoming one of the most popular farming in recent days.

Nowadays, its been a popular thing in the countries like Nepal. Many developed countries are following this since decade. As the fear of pandemic is on head, most of the people are knowing the value of greenery and the green vegetables around the houses.  Rooftop farming is becoming very popular in this lockdown. Simply it is called kausi kheti in Nepali. 

They become more and more popular among the other in times to come because

Each house would not only become self-sustainable in producing its own healthy food.

People will soon realize that 70% of the money that they pay for a kg of vegetable is the cost of transporting it and the cost of wastage on the way.

Farmers will stop growing vegetables as the water-table around the cities goes down.

Cancer in adults, neurological disorders in elders and allergies in children will take epidemic proportions.

By growing Fresh vegetables on the rooftop, we cover the un-utilized rooftops with a natural green cover which will significantly bring down the temperature of the building thus reducing the power consumption of the building.

The containers used for growing organic veg on rooftop can be used for catching the rainwater and harvesting it.

Methods for roof top farming;

To use the spare space of the roof we can use the following methods for roof top farming:

1)Using the pots: 

This is one of the easiest way for the planation of the plants and vegetables. We can easily grow the plants in this type. We can use these to grow onion, garlic and different green leafy vegetables. We are following this method in our house. 

Firstly we filled the pots with FYM, sand and muds and then take it to roof. Then we used the saplings and seeds to grow these type of pots.

These farmlands can be grown on the roofs and balconies of houses in clay pot. Besides that, rooftop garden looks more attractive and beautiful by decorating clay pots

Advantages:

It is easy and simplest method

Disadvantages:

we should make hole in the pots other wise there is chances of water logging condition.

2)Using sacks

We can use unwanted sacks for the vegetables. The large size vertical bags have holes in them where stem seedlings are planted. In many places of Nepal  like Kathmandu and Pokhara, sacks farming is also called smart farming or urban farming because it consist of a series of sacks that are filled with manure, soil and small stones that enable water to drain.

Advantages:

It is easy and cheapest method.

We can grow all plants.

Disadvantages:

High chances of sack decays and will be tear.

3)Using empty and old water jar, plastic bottles and poly bags:

Another important method for roof top cultivation

Make a hole in the bottom of the jar. Then fill the jar with mud, manures and if there is sand 1 portion of sand is added. Then we have to plant a plants, after that water the plants.

We have planted personally different vegetables here

We can utilize and reuse of plastic bottles that makes sustainable gardening and make environment eco-friendly zone

There are numerous plastic containers that we use in our day to day life. Instead of throwing in dust bin as a trash, we can use it effectively.

Plastic bottles are often used by cutting them so that we can grow different plants step by step by which the water is passed from upside down and frequently watering is not given time to time. It also makes house more decorative.

3)By using trellis system:

These are the process used in the climbers and creepers. They are made mostly by the help of bamboo sticks or the iron rod. While using trellis we can grow the shade loving plants on the bottom. This method is mostly followed in the Kathmandu cities.

Using concept of Multistoried farming

Growing the plants of different heights. So that it will maintain space and it makes the view of roof so decorative. We can grow the plants like okra+ spinach + coriander as the concept of multistoried.

Making cemented garden container

This is another way for the roof top farming. It's a good idea to consult with the building manager or engineer to ensure that the roof can support the weight of your garden. This may be effective.

4)Using Polystyrene or thermocol foam:

These is easily available in water. Soil with manure and foam are used. We can grow all plants and it will be long lasting.

Vertical farming:

Fill the pipe with the mud, manure and foam and make it vertical. Tie it up with the help of thread and then make the holes on the pipe on opposite side to grow plant. Then plant the vegetables like chilly and tomatoes.

Fig:- vertical farming

Using the ply, furniture which are useless make them like a box with the help of nail and hammer and there should be ply on bottom. 

In the cities like Kathmandu, there is scarcity of water so that we can use the foams of the different types of furniture, vehicles, and bed sheets. It is mixed with soil . So that moisture can be capture for long period of time. 

Load and mud on the roof can concrete the roof. While using foam there is 40-45% less chances of concrete of soil.

We can use the vertical wall of roof and stairs in spider web form for the climbers so that they will occupy space and also helps to maintain house temperature. Also it makes house greenery and decorative.

Advantages of roof gardening

1)Environmental benefits:- 

It converts CO2 emissions

It produces oxygen

It reduces the heat of buildings and energy costs

It creates a habitat for wildlife

It reduces ambient temperature

It captures and harvests rainwater

It reduces storm water runoff and discharge

It creates large catchment areas.

2)Economic benefits:

We can earn the maximum profit from the vegetables we grow. We can earn easily the profit we wanted to and sell the organic products. These leads to earn the small profit to us.

3)Destress from city life.

Although when we are in the city far from the greenery, we can go far away from the city life temporarily by heading over to a rooftop garden of ours or nearby just to be refresh. It can can help reduce mental stress and we can forget the personal problems and we can rather focus on the planting and growing organic products.

4)Organic vegetables:

As a student, I prefer and suggests to us to grow the vegetables in roof because of the expensiveness vegetables these days and due to inorganic vegetables found in the market. At rooftop gardens, we can grow our own vegetables for free and enjoy the health benefits of chemical-free vegetables.

Extra drainage water can be collected in the beaker by using pipe line. Pipe used may be damaged or broken pipe so that there will be effective reuse of pipes. It is also stored in tank which makes the reuse of wastage water effectively. 

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Fig:-pipe with the wastage water with tank

In the tank fish farming is done. They throw the excreta in the tank which is used as manure. So that we can follow aquaponics system.

Fig:- the wastage of water and aquaponics

We can make the compost manures from the kitchen wastages. So that there is less chance of pollution and  the vegetables will be chemical free. 

Everyone in the family can spend some quality time in spending in own garden may divert and refresh our mind.

 Rooftop farming is very easy to maintain, it is the best way to grow all types of natural sinks such as grassland, floral arrangement, green parks, or food crops on the rooftop of each and every building. These natural sinks help to absorb the dust and pollution of Kathmandu city which make Kathmandu city liable.

In context Nepal, all women’s are housewife. They can maintain all the farming so effectively. 

We can make our own seed collection.

Off season vegetables cultivation is possible.

Disadvantages:

Like a coin have two side, everything have both advantages and disadvantages. Following are the disadvantages of rooftop gardening are:-

1)Roof Garden Weight and Structure:- The structure of roof top creates a over all problem to building. Soil and planting materials are heavy to be placed in roof top. Whether we create soil planting bed or use pots or  Patio slabs and furniture they may create weight in the roof top. Most building roofs will require proper reinforcement before a roof garden. High roof gardens may have problems with high winds damaging plants and young seedlings. May the building be collapsed due to the over weight in roof because of heavy materials.

2)Insurance:- If we roof garden, chances are that insurance companies will charge a higher premium than they would to cover the same building without a roof garden. Greater insurance costs represent another way in which a roof garden is often more expensive than a typical garden. 

3)Safety:- Roof gardens may be more dangerous than typical gardens, due to the risk of falling. If you have -- or invite over -- children to your roof garden, ensure the edges of the garden are barricaded so nobody can fall from the roof.

Huge number of labour and input is required and skilled man power is required.

There is high chances of insect pest infestation. The plants are highly captured by the insects and pest. 

 The plastic bottles and jar can be damaged by the extreme sun so make sure to place there where they cant get effective sunlight.

More chances of water logging condition on the roof, so proper drainage is required

Cost to do roof top farming:

We can estimate the little amount of for this farming. Although it is cheaper but initial cost should be estimate so high. Estimated cost will tend you to grow what type of plants on what type of materials. 

Why it is good for health?

It is good for health because it agrees the completely form of organic farming. No means of inorganic things like insecticides pesticides are used so it follows the organic production of products. The vegetables of market comes from the 100 km far to the plate which may be organic or not. So lets think about roof top farming. How much it is effective to health and towards the environment also. 

The plants that are used in roof top gardening are:-

1)Trees: Choose smaller trees and little-leaf varieties, such as Amur maples, Japanese maples, and crabapples.

2)Evergreens: Pines, junipers, and dwarf conifers of all kinds do well in these conditions.

3)Shrubs: Boxwoods, cotoneaster, Japanese kerria, hydrangeas, barberry, and yew are very tough.

4)Roses: Roses of all kinds — including climbing roses — will thrive in pots in a rooftop garden.

Annual flowers like: zinnias, pentas, lantanas, marigolds, petunias and gladiolus. Annual vines, like cypress vine and morning glory, will grow rapidly and bloom through the fall.

5)Vegetables: Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, coriander, mint, broccoli, and lettuce and greens are good candidates for pots. Herbs also thrive in containers. We  could even grow strawberries and raspberries in big troughs in a rooftop garden.

Succulent plant tissue stores moisture that plants can draw on in times of drought. Many succulents grow well in containers, like bryophyllum, aleovera etc are grown. 

Precautions

We must give attention before turning the roof of the house into farmland, the roof and the condition of the roof must be inspected to see if it is technically waterproof and good for farming. As we all know, water scarcity could be a major challenge for rooftop farming, but rainwater harvesting is the way to counter this challenge.

Conclusion:

So we have started a kausi kheti in our locality just to fulfill our daily and basic need. And to make the environment of our locality greenery. This lead a agriculture in different way. Since a lot of vegetables are inorganic these days. From the rooftop gardening we can get lots of organic vegetables. In our roof top we have grown the vegetables like cucumber, chilly(aakabare), green leafy vegetables, calocosia, coriander, fenugreek, Amaranthus and beans and plants like Cycas, dracaena, lemongrass, are grown which not only gives us the value of roof gardening but also the organic products and fresh airs. These leads us to follow the modern era of agriculture. 

As a student, in this pandemic I prefer every one of you to be effective and to be more productive. As our country is an agricultural country why not we think about the changes. “Together we can” do lots of changes. Rooftop farming is  best one. So lets join hand and make our locality greenery by roof top farming.

Lastly, How you start up roof top gardening

Start with a plan. Before you head to the garden center, consider whether you wish to install raised beds or would rather garden in containers, and approximately how many of each you'd like to have.

Consult with the building engineer. it's a good idea to consult with the building manager or engineer to ensure that the roof can support the weight of your garden.

Check into access. You'll need easy access to the roof to transport materials, tools, soil and plants up and down. 

Use study materials. For containers, opt for larger sized pots, such as half-barrel planters, that will be less likely to dry out or blow around in windy conditions. If installing raised beds, aim to make the beds at least 10-inches deep, to ensure adequate soil for root growth. 

Find a water source. Rooftop beds and containers will dry out quickly and may need to be watered daily during the hottest parts of summer. If desired, an automatic watering system can be set up to reduce time spent watering.

Look for storage space. It's no fun lugging tools, fertilizers and soil up to the roof every time you want to garden. A small storage space—even if it's just a simple wooden box—will keep supplies handy and prevent them from blowing around on a windy rooftop.

Pick the right planting medium. In rooftop containers and raised beds, potting soil is your best friend. Not only does it hold water better than garden soil, but it's also lightweight and won't compact over time.