Practical Tip on Urban Agriculture

GROWING VEGETABLES ON POTS

Advantages:

1. Possible even in condo units and residences without space for growing plants.
2. Protection from bad weather
3. Savings from expensive veggies
4. Matured seed pods (saluyot/jute} will not be carried by wind but just fall in the pot for next growth
5. Charantia (wild and nutritious ampalaya) if hang in terrace will beautify your home.

Materials Needed:

1. Medium-sized recycled plastic container or tin can
2. Compost soil (as illustrated in previous issue of SHARE)
3. Coarse sand/rice hull to loosen the soil for better root development
4. Cuttings of sweet potato/alugbati, seeds of saluyot/charantia/chili or onion/leek bulbs
5. Bigger size container (1 foot tall and diameter for moringa trunk with diameter of 2-3”)

Procedure:

1. Fill up compost soil mixed with coarse or rice hull up to 2-3” below rim of receptacle.
2. Plant 6-8” long cuttings of veggie vine with developed roots 3-4” deep. For seeds, drop 2-3 pieces 1” deep. For trunk, scrap 6” bark at bottom and dip in chlorine-free water for a week, then stick downward in container about 6” deep.
3. Put mulch (dried leaves or grasses) on top to control faster evaporation of soil moisture.
4. Spray rice washing just enough to moisten the soil.
5. Place potted plants on top of elevated portion of terrace partly exposed to morning sunlight.
6. Spray rice washing every other day and SNAP solution every 3 weeks.
7. Spray organic water-based pesticide (as illustrated in previous issue of SHARE).
8. Harvesting: Cut new tops of vines once a week for cooking/steaming.

PRESTO! You have nutritious, cheap and safe to eat native veggies.