Start Your Own Organic Terrace Garden

If your plants are struggling with flowering and fruiting, this is my go-to growth booster. I make this fertilizer mix with one part bone meal, one part neem khali, and four parts well-decomposed compost. Bone meal provides phosphorus for blooms, neem khali acts as a natural pest repellent, and compost provides all the essential micro and macro nutrients. I add about 100 grams to my plants once a month to recharge the soil.

This is your reminder that it's time to start your summer vegetable garden. Here, I am preparing a seedling mix of 50% compost and 50% cocopeat to sow seeds for ghia, zucchini, tori, bhindi, and melons. I also show my main potting mix recipe: 30% river sand, 30% garden soil, 30% compost, and 10% neem khali and bone meal. Getting the seed starting mix right is the first step to a successful summer garden.

I ran out of space with my grow bags, so I decided to make these DIY raised garden beds from some old tin sheets and wood I had lying around. I show the entire process, from building the frame to filling it up. The trick is to fill the bottom 70% with dry leaves and garden waste, which makes the beds lighter and provides nutrition as it decomposes. I then top it with my standard vegetable potting mix.

Cocopeat is a must-have if you want to save your plants in the summer. It's a compressed block of coconut husk that expands in water. I use it in my potting mixes to make them lighter, improve soil quality, and hold moisture for longer, which is crucial during hot weather. It's also fantastic for starting seeds, as its porous nature helps in developing strong roots. I use a mix of 50% compost and 50% cocopeat for all my seedlings.

Weight is a big concern for terrace gardening. Here’s a simple trick I use to make my planters lighter. I fill the bottom of the pots with dry leaves before adding my potting mix. Over time, these leaves decompose, providing valuable nutrients to the plant while keeping the overall weight of the planter down. This method is perfect for balconies and rooftops.

Setting up a winter garden is more than just sowing seeds; it involves some back-breaking work like preparing and moving the potting mix. Here you can see me mixing my trusted formula for vegetables: 40% compost, 30% river sand, and 30% garden soil. I also add neem khali and bone meal for extra nutrition and pest control. Good soil is the foundation of a healthy garden.

The season of good harvests is the most rewarding part of gardening. Here is a glimpse of my winter vegetable harvest, including fresh cauliflower, turnips, and different types of radishes. Seeing your hard work turn into fresh, organic food for the family is a feeling like no other.