Post by Admin on Jul 7, 2020 18:57:58 GMT
Choose your soil
The first step to finding good soil is to look for good plant life. Without plant life that means the soil is unsuitable. Thick, lush growth means you’re probably on the right track. Make sure to not choose a soil that has stayed wet for extended periods, fungus will be one of a rooftop farmers worst enemies. Remembering that different plants thrive in different environments can help you choose good soil to harvest; here are some pointers.
Recycling Soils
If you’re planting in 3 gallon pots ( which I suggest, also these can be located by a 3 on the bottom), then plan for 1 plot for every 1.5 square feet. So once you calculate how many containers you can manage, get twice as much soil as it takes to fill them so you can alternate between cycles. Once you have obtained all of your soil, you need to maintain a compost pile to rejuvenate all of the organic matter that is lost in the previous life cycle. It should take 60 days for 100 percent of your compost to decompose into the fertilizer known as “humus”. This humus should make up about 1/3 of your soil in a perfect scenario. It will provide your plants with nutrients as well as an enhanced ability to maintain moisture.
Maintaining your compost
Compost should be composed of all unneeded organic materials except excrement of carnivorous or omnivorous animals, including humans. It can be toxic as well as a vector for many serious diseases. All compost should be ground finely and kept moist, but not damp, to prevent growth of a fungus. Just to keep things clear you are expected to put the plants you recently harvested back into your compost pile, this is recycling. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
One thing to remember is that you can sterilize your soil between cycles with clear plastic. Place the clear plastic over your soil in the summer months and the heat should be enough to kill off diseases, as well as other things that could be potentially harmful to your crop.
Any kind of fabric that doesn’t allow the soil to breathe will be sufficient but with clear plastic there may be enough sunlight for the weed seeds to sprout, and the heat should be enough to kill any and all plants that sprout making your job easier next cycle.
Choosing the right plants
In my system there are three important groups of plants: citrus, legumes, and fillers. Citrus fruits should provide you with Vitamin C and other important nutrients. Legumes will provide you with simple proteins as well as some handy benefits for soil rejuvenation. Finally we come to fillers, which are mainly meant to provide you with carbohydrates, simple sugars, and starches and also the psychological benefit of having a full stomach.
Why legumes are so special
Legumes can work with microbial colonies called Rhizobia, which bind to the root nodules of the plant. Through symbiosis they actually siphon Nitrogen out of the air, convert it, then nitrogenate the soil for both the legume itself as all as an excess for the soil. This ability is enhanced in a Calcium rich soil. Legumes also have high protein content in both the seed and foliage. This benefits both you and any livestock in your care. You can survive a complete vegetarian lifestyle on the simple proteins of both grains and legumes together.
Pest Control
In conventional agriculture, weeds are the limiting factor. Some weeds can produce 150,000 seed in one life cycle. And those seeds can live for decades before sprouting. However, in this situation with enough “elbow grease” you can effectively eliminate weeds as a problem with daily pulling, and even that may not be necessary. Successful control of a crop in one cycle is not sufficient certain weeds can release 100,000 seeds in one year and each of those seeds can lay dormant in the soil for decades, weed control isn’t a battle fought and won, it is a war that will rage for the lifetime of your crops.
Insects can be a curse or a blessing, but if you aren’t trained in entomology, then I would assume they are all bad. Use daily scouting to keep your self aware of the situation. Scarce insecticides may be hard to come by and dangerous for those untrained in them. There are other natural repellents for insects. The flowers in the genera tanactum, chrysanthemum, and pulicana all produce natural botanicals that repel bad insects and attract pollinators.
Fungus can be your worst enemy in a rooftop production scenario. It is detrimental to plant growth, your yield, as well as deadly to humans and livestock. The best way to treat fungus without fungicide is to never allow it to grow. There are many fool proof precaution techniques that will leave all of your plants fungus free virtually all of the time.
Protection from the elements
Your main concern is going to be temperature extremes. The easiest fix for excessively high temperatures is a shade cloth during the sunniest hours of the day (12:00 – 4:00). Another option is to place a sun shield on the west side of your roof to block the setting sun. This will also keep your roof much cooler.
Preventing extreme cold is much more difficult. Often unknown, a plant that may normally survive the hardest winter, may freeze to death in a pot due to the roots not being insulated as well. The best way I can think of is to move all of your plants close together and insulate between the plots; therefore, insulating the plots better. It may also be necessary to cover the outer parts with blankets, tarps, or that sort of thing.