One of the best ways to obtain nutritious, organic vegetables for a healthy diet is by setting up a rooftop garden at home. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an individual should consume 400 grams of vegetables and fruits daily for a balanced diet.
Studies suggest that this practice can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 14%, heart disease by 11%, and stroke-related deaths by 9%. A healthy diet should include 300 grams of carbohydrates, 50 grams of protein, and essential vitamins daily for overall well-being.
What to Grow in a Rooftop Garden?
You can cultivate a variety of vegetables, including:
✔ Leafy greens (spinach, fenugreek, coriander)
✔ Climbing vegetables (ridge gourd, bottle gourd, snake gourd)
✔ Shrub vegetables (tomato, brinjal, chili)
✔ Herbs (mint, curry leaves, ginger)
By growing fresh, chemical-free, organic vegetables, you can ensure a healthy, toxin-free diet for your family.
Why Rooftop Gardening?
With increasing urbanization and limited space in apartments, rooftop gardening in containers and grow bags is an effective solution to meet daily vegetable needs.
For a family of four, around 30 containers on a 1,200 sq. ft. rooftop can produce a steady supply of vegetables.
How to Set Up a Rooftop Garden?
✔ Waterproofing the rooftop – Use cement coating, waterproof paint, or a plastic sheet to prevent seepage.
✔ Preparing the soil – Mix farmyard manure, decomposed coconut fiber waste, and sand for a nutrient-rich growing medium.
✔ Seedling Preparation – Grow tomato, brinjal, and chili seedlings in nursery trays, then transplant them into containers. Okra and greens can be directly sown in containers.
✔ Continuous Harvesting – Stagger planting every 7–10 days to ensure a continuous vegetable supply.
✔ Pest Control – Use neem oil, neem leaf extract, and neem seed kernel extract as organic pest repellents.
Recommended Vegetables for Rooftop Gardening 🌿
✅ Leafy Greens – Spinach, amaranth, coriander, fenugreek
✅ Climbers – Ridge gourd, bottle gourd, snake gourd, cucumber
✅ Shrub Vegetables – Tomato, brinjal, chili, okra, cluster beans
✅ Legumes – Flat beans, cowpea, broad beans
✅ Herbs – Mint, curry leaves, ginger
Benefits of Rooftop Gardening
✔ Fresh, organic vegetables every day
✔ Eco-friendly waste management – Convert kitchen waste into compost
✔ Avoid health risks caused by chemically grown vegetables
✔ A relaxing and rewarding hobby
As the saying goes, “Food is Medicine.” Cultivating a rooftop garden not only provides nutritious food but also promotes a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
Dr. K. Se. Vijay Selvaraj, Vegetable Research Station, Palur. Dr. A. Bharathi, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Agricultural College & Research Institute, Eachangkottai, Thanjavur – 614 902
