Innovative Vertical Farming/Gardening

Vertical Farming/Gardening 

Roll up some landscape fabric(Saakku in tamil), fill it with soil and poke holes in it for your growies.  

The first pic here shows the cylindrical fabric filled with soil and tied to a tree.

The second pic shows holes and plants growing from them.

squarefoot and vertical gardening

Agriculture in just 300 square feet

How to get started - Agriculture [Organic Farming]

Always Test The Waters Before Jumping In

The easiest way to get started while gaining some benefit and keeping expenses in line is to start a small garden

A small garden composed of only "three"  4-foot × 25-foot raised beds—a mere 300 square feet. 

Within that space, all of the techniques (Square foot gardening, Square inch gardening, Multi-layer cropping, vertical gardening, green house, raised bed gardening, no dig, drip irrigation)
 can be practiced and fine-tuned to the individual circumstance, and minor mistakes are easily corrected.

Also, and I am not kidding, by using intensive agricultural methods, you will easily grow more
vegetables in 300 square feet than most people do in large acres.

 Your problem won’t be with gardening—it will be with storing everything it produces!

The point here is to start at a small and easily managed level  while you get the hang of things and then expand from there.

Expand as you gain confidence and ultimately start a small commercial enterprise as well.

Square inch gardening

"Square inch gardening" is a term coined to describe the method of growing many plants packed closely together, emulating how plants grow in nature. 

So if you have a small space for gardening, growing plants more closely together than recommended by seed packets may be beneficial. Sow your seeds very close together; in nature seeds don't measure distances in inches as is recommended on backs of seed packages. Spacing plants closer together acts like a "living mulch" - preventing evaporation from the soil and saving watering costs. We also plant multiple-layers. For instance, bigger vegetables like broccoli or peppers are planted with a carpet of greens - lettuce, arugula, etc., underneath. With this type of technique the green carpet acts like a living mulch, preventing weeds and keeping the soil moist.

This method of growing requires one to experiment since each garden's growing conditions are different. But you'll be rewarded with increased yields!

How to turn your lights off

What if we worked only when sunlight is there and rest the  other time

• We will be healthy
• We will be stress-free
• We will reduce the consumption of electricity
• We will be connected with mother nature

Model to be followed for sustainable farming

http://urbanhomestead.org/urban-homestead#facts

Animal farming towards Self Sustainable agriculture

Role of animals in sustainable farming

RAISING SMALLSTOCK

• Chickens (eggs/manure)
• Ducks (eggs/manure)
• Dwarf rabbits (manure)
• Dwarf/pygmy goats (milk/manure)

BEEKEEPING

• Captured wild swarm
• Without the use of antibiotics
• Unfiltered, unheated, hand extraction

AQUAPONICS

• Talapia
• Water used to grow veggies
• Solar pump and heater

Different growing methods for attaining sustainability

Sustainable farming

Ten points to keep follow for attaining sustainable living with farming.

1.

Grow your own FOOD on your city lot.

More than 50% of diet, organically, on an urban lot (approx. less than half an acre*) with visually appealing landscaping. *Depends on square footage of house, location, and climate zone.

2.

Use alternative ENERGY sources.

E.g., solar, wind, in conjunction with energy efficiency and conservation measures to reduce usage.

3.

Use alternative FUELS & TRANSPORTATION.

E.g., bio-fuels and/or alternative methods of transportation (bicycle, walk, public).

4.

Keep farm ANIMALS for manure and food.

Practice animal husbandry.

5.

Practice WASTE REDUCTION.

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without, compost it, re-purpose it.

6.

Reclaim GREYWATER and collect RAINWATER.

Practice water conservation and recovery.

7.

Live SIMPLY.

…in the manner of past eras. Develop back-to-basics homemaking skills, including food preservation and preparation.

8.

Do the work YOURSELF.

Learn to do home and vehicle maintenance, repairs and basic construction.

9.

Work at HOME.

Earn a living from the land or hand work done at home. Develop a homebased economy.

10.

Be a good NEIGHBOR.

Be conscious and considerate of your surroundings – ask yourself, “Would I want to live next to me?”  Offer a helping hand for free. Urban homesteading is a community-based way of life, not a business opportunity. Be a neighbor, not a business person.

Reference:

http://urbanhomestead.org/urban-homestead-10-elements

http://urbanhomestead.org/

http://urbanhomestead.org/

The Urban Homestead model at a Glance

Location: Northwest Pasadena, one mile from downtown Pasadena

Property Size: 66’ x 132’ = 8,712 sq.ft. (1/5 acre)

House: Simple, wood frame craftsman bungalow. Circa 1917.

House Size: 1,500 sq. ft.

Garden Size: ~ 1/10 acre (3,900 sq.ft. / ~ 66' x 66')

Garden Diversity: Over 350 different vegetables, herbs, fruits & berries

Productivity: Up to 6,000 lbs harvest annually on 1/10 acre

கிர்ணி பழ சாகுபடி

தற்போது நல்லாத்தூர் உட்பட பல பகுதிகளில் கிர்ணி பழம் சாகுபடி செய்வதிலும் விவசாயிகள் ஆர்வம் காட்டி வருகின்றனர்.

• கிர்ணி சாகுபடி செய்ய ஏக்கருக்கு 200 கிராம் விதையே போதுமானது.
• ஒரு கிலோ கிர்ணி பழ விதைகள் ரூ 13,500 ஆகும்.
• 11 நாளான நாற்றுகளை 4 அடி அகலத்தில், 2 அடி இடைவெளியில் நடவு செய்யப் படுகிறது.
• நடவு செய்த 14ம் நாள் டி.ஏ.பி., யூரியா, பொட்டாஷ் ஆகியவை கலந்து உரமிட வேண்டும்.
• 5 நாட்களுக்கு ஒரு முறை தண்ணீர் கட்டும் போது சிறிதளவு உரமிட்டால் செடிகள் நன்கு வளரும்.
• சாதாரண முறையிலும், சொட்டு நீர் பாசன முறையிலும் தண்ணீர் செலுத்தலாம்.
• செடிகள் பூக்கும் சமயத்தில் பூச்சிகளின் தாக்குதல்களை கட்டுப்படுத்த பூச்சி மருந்துகளை தெளிக்க வேண்டும்.
• 30 நாட்களில் காய்க்க துவங்கி 45 நாட்களில் பழங்கள் அறுவடைக்கு தயாராகின்றன.
• தற்போது ஒரு கிலோ பழம் சில்லரை விற்பனையில் 20 ரூபாய்க்கு விற்கப்படுகிறது.
• ஒரு டன் கிர்ணி பழம் 13,000 ரூபாய் ஆகும். ஒரு ஏக்கரில் 15 டன் கிர்ணி பழங்கள் கிடைக்கும்,
• இதன் மூலம் 1 லட்சம் முதல் 1.5 லட்சம் வரை லாபம் கிடைக்கும் என விவசாயிகள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

Few nitrogen fixing trees - tamil

Few nitrogen fixing trees

1)Savukku
2)Agathi
3)Pungan
4)Vaagai
5)Gliricidia

How to improve / sustain the Soil

How to improve / sustain the Soil

Continuing with where we left in the last blog, we will discuss more ways to improve as well as sustain the soil.

As a rule of thumb, please remember "The Soil need not be exposed to direct sunlight and the sunlight is required only for the plants and that too by the leaves of the plants"

Don't expose the soil to direct sunlight

1. Most of the land is occupied by Trees, Crops etc and only the minimal area is not occupied by any crop.  In this situation, we can go for Live (or) Green Mulch, Dead Mulch.
2. In case of traditional crops like Paddy, Sugarcane etc, the unwanted roots or branches should not be burnt and left as is to decompose in the very soil.
3. Live Mulch can be even weeds as well as any legume crops or grasses as well.
4. Dead Mulch can be plantains, dead leaves, twigs, broken branches etc.  The Dead Mulch need to be spread in those areas where the soil is exposed to the sunlight and this will reduce the soil getting hot and also will reduce the evaporation in the process.

The Soil can be improved further if we allow the earthworms to live there.  The earthworms cannot tolerate direct sunlight and hence will not be coming to the top of the soil if there is direct sunlight.  As we all know, the more the earthworms, it is better for the soil as well as for the farmer.  The earthworms improve the air passage, water seepage and provide nutrients to the roots of the crops.

We can also improve the soil by making the dead mulch decompose faster by sprinkling (cow dung + cow urine) mixture whenever there is heavy dead mulch available.

Traditionally, the goats / sheeps are allowed to stay overnight in the land so that the excreta that falls from them will improve the soil and this method is employed even today.

Soil carried by Wind

1. We need to implement Wind Breakers to control this and this has to be done in a V shape model.
2. The plants selected should have many branches and it should be thick (like Glyricidia) and should not have only one stem like coconut.
3. During the summer, we can go for short term crops to ensure that the top soil is covered and hence cannot be carried by wind.

Soil carried by Water

1. Water should not flow very fast and this is also one of the reasons for losing the top soil and the nutrients along with it.
2. Where water flows very fast, it should be made to walk. Create trenches along the gradient of the slope or every 25 or 50 feet to ensure that the speed of the water is reduced considerably.
3. Where water walks, it should be made to crawl.  If the land is occupied by grasses or other crops, it will make the water slow down to a considerable extent.
4. Where water crawls, it should be made to stop.  This can be a storage pit or tank or pond.

Compactness or Hardness

1. The Compactness or Hardness of the soil is done by humans by walking, heavy cattle grazing, heavy machinery, long term non-usage of the land etc.
2. Heavy machinery should never be used when the land is very wet. By Heavy Machinery, I mean tractors, harvesting machines etc.

The above are some of the ways we can sustain or improve the soil.

How to improve the Soil

How to improve the Soil

As we all know, the Soil is the base for any agricultural activity.  In this blog, we will discuss ways and means to improve the soil.

The details given below are for both "unused barren land" and "land in use" as well as for land which needs to be moved from chemical farming to organic farming.


Land Improvement - Method 1

The following 5 types of Seeds are required and their quantities are mentioned as well for 1 Acre.  Overall, you require 4+4+4+4.25+1.75 = 22 Kgs of seeds per acre.

1.  Pasunthaal (Green Manure Seeds) - 4 Kgs
1. Sanappu (Sunhemp) - 1Kg
2. Thakkaipoondu (Daincha) - 1 Kg
3. Avuri (Indigo) - 1 Kg
4. Sesbania (Sesbania) - 1 Kg
2. Siruthaaniam (Millet Seeds) - 4 Kgs
1. Cholam (Cholam) - 1 Kg
2. Cumbu (Spiked Millet) - 1 Kg
3. Kelvaragu (Ragi) - 1 Kg
4. Samai (Samai) - 1 Kg
3. Payaru (Cereal Seeds) - 4 Kgs
1. Ulundu (Blackgram) - 1 Kg
2. Pacchapayaru (Greengram) - 1 Kg
3. Karamani (Cowpea) - 1 Kg
4. Thuvarai (Redgram) - 1 Kg
4. Ennai (Oil Seeds) - 4.25 Kgs
1. Verkkadalai (Groundnut) - 2 Kg
2. Ell (Gingely) - 0.25 Kg
3. Amanakku (Castor) - 1 Kg
4. Soya Mochai (Soya Beans) - 1 Kg
5. Vaasanai (Perfume Seeds) - 1.75 Kgs
1. Thaniya (Coriander) - 1 Kg
2. Kadukku (Mustard) - 0.25 Kg
3. Venthayam (Fenugreek) - 0.25 Kg
4. Sombhu (Jeera) - 0.25 Kg

1. The land has to be tilled for 1 or 2 times before the seeds are broadcasted.
2. The above 20 seeds mentioned need to be mixed thoroughly and broadcasted by hand.
3. Just before flowering of the crops(in 3 months time), the crops need to be dealt in two different ways.
4. If the land is slushy, the entire crops need to be tilled again so that the crops as well as the soil are mixed throughly and allowed to decompose.
5. If the land is not slusy, the entire crops need to be cut at the base and allowed to decompose in the soil.
6. Mostly these needs to be done before the main crop is grown or if you are not growing any main crop and just for soil improvement, it is better to do this during the rainy season.

Land Improvement - Method 2

1. Normally, most of the villages will have temples / mosques  and along with them they will have ponds, tanks etc which stores water and which is used for the temple as well as for the common use.  Even if there are not any temples around, definitely there will be ponds, tanks or other sources of water storage.  This is an excellent source of nutrient rich soil as most of the water that arrives in this place carry with them the top soil from many places and depoit them here.
2. With the permission from the temple or local body, collected not more than 15-30 cms of top soil from the pond, tank etc.  By doing this, you will allow the water storage structure to retain more water.
3. Spread the top soil collected from the ponds, tanks etc in your farm to improve your soil.
4. The top soil need to be taken out only after sufficient amount of top soil has been collected in the ponds, tanks etc.

Fish Farming - An Introduction to Polyculture in Carp Varieties of Fishes

Fish Farming - An Introduction to Polyculture in Carp Varieties of Fishes

In this blog, we will be the seeing the basics of Fish Farming related to the Carp Varieties.

The entire blog will be presented in a Question & Answer format.  While it will be beneficial for the first time user to read the entire blog, the frequent users of this blog can just focus on their specific needs.

The following assumptions have been made and hence those will not be discussed here:-

• The soil has been tested for water holding capability
• The pH has been stabilised between 7.5 and 8.5 range
• The pond have been excavated
• The water is available throughout the year or at least for 6 months period

1. What is the minimum area required for fish farming?
• Even a Cent (435.6 Sq Ft) can be utilized for fish farming.  But, the more the better, as fishes tend grow well in large areas
2. What should be the shape of the pond?
• Even though any shape is okay, a rectangular shape is preferred for easy harvesting
3. What should be the direction of the pond?
• Other than Square or Round ponds, all the ponds should be in the East-to-West direction
• The basic requirement is that there should not be any shadow falling in the pond, as the shadow will minimize or reduce the growth of the natural feed in the pond
• Reason 1: For the growth of natural feed in the pond, the sun rays are required to fall in the pond and hence the pond should be excavated as explained above
4. What is the optimal depth of the water in the pond?
• Min : 3 ft of water depth
• Max : 5 ft of water depth
• Reason 1 : The sun rays will fall into the water up to a certain depth only and the sun rays are required for producing natural feed
• Reason 2 : During harvest, it will be easy for people to get into the pond and catch the fishes
5. How many ponds need to be created for fish farming?
   
   • It is always suggested to have multiple ponds
   • Reason 1 : You can grow different varieties of fishes in different ponds
   • Reason 2 : You can grow fishes of the same variety in multiple ponds but with varying ages for marketing purposes
6. How many fishes can be grown in 1 Acre?
• 3000 fishes can be grown in 1 Acre
7. What is the optimal size of fingerlings?
   • 3 to 5 inches or 10-15 cms size is suggested for fingerlings
   • Reason 1: For reducing the mortality of the fishes, it is suggested to buy reasonable size of fingerlings
   • Reason 2: Choosing a bigger size fingerling will help us to get multiple season harvest (Two Crops in One Year)
   
   
8. What are the varieties of Carps that can be grown in the same pond?

Catla	Zooplankton feeder	Surface feeder
Rohu	Omnivorous	Column feeder
Mrigal	Detritivorous	Bottom feeder
Silver Carp	Phytoplankton feeder	Surface feeder
Grass Carp	Herbivorous	Surface, column & marginal areas
Common Carp	Detritivorous/Omnivorous	Bottom feeder



9. What is the suggested % of Carp varieties in the same pond?
• The following % of carp varieties should be kept as a guideline and can be changed based on the local requirements and needs

Species	3-species	4-species	6-species
Catla	4.0	3.0	1.5
Rohu	3.0	3.0	2.0
Mrigal	3.0	2.0	1.5
Silver Carp	-	-	1.5
Grass Carp	-	-	1.5
Common Carp	-	2.0	2.0








10. What is the need for growing polyculture fish instead of monoculture fish in the same pond? 
    • Instead of growing monoculture fish in a pond, it is suggested to grow polyculture fish for the reasons given below.
    • Reason 1: If we grow a single variety of fish, it will feed only on a specific variety of organism and also utilize only a portion of the pond.
    • Reason 2: If we grow multiple varieties of fishes, the different varieties of the carps feed on the different organisms which grow in different depth of the pond and hence utilization of the available infrastructure is maximized
11. What is the period of availability of fingerlings?
• The fingerlings are available during Jul-Jan period
12. What is the optimal time to stock the fingerlings?
• Nov or Oct is the best time to stock the fingerlings in the pond
13. What is the right time to release the fingerlings in the pond?
    
    • Should be done After sunrise or Before sunset
    • Early mornings or Late evenings is a better option
    • Reason 1: The temperature of the water should be (made) equivalent to the temperate in the plastic bag which contains the fingerlings
14. What is the initial manures that need to be put before introducing the fingerlings?
    
    • Initially, 1000 Kgs of Fresh Cow Dung or equivalent should be put in to enable natural feed to grow for 1 Acre.
15. What is the optimal time to introduce the fingerlings in the ponds?
• Before introducing the fingerlings in the pond, the pond should have enough feed for the fingerlings.  The best indication is a thin layer of light green floating in the surface of the water.  It takes 15 days (for the first time) to grow.
16. What are the different types of feed that can be given to the Carps?
• The following are some of the feeds that can be provided to the Carp fishes:-
• Fresh Cow Dung (3-5 Cows Required per Acre)
• Fresh Goat Manure
• Fresh Chicken Manure (70-100 Country Chickens Required per Acre)
• Fresh Pig Manure (12 Pigs Required per Acre)
• Fresh Duck Manure (100 Ducks Required per Acre)
• Compost
• Daily Cleaning Water of Shed (Dairy)
• Groundnut Cake
• Coconut Cake
• Rice Bran
• Wheat Husk
• Tender Banana Leaves
• Indian Coral Tree (Kalyana Murungai)
• Sesbania grandiflora (Agathi)
• Subabul
• Andrographis paniculata (Siriya Nangai)
• Holy Basil (Tulsi)
• Azolla
• Glyricidia
• Thespesia Populnea
• Leafy Vegetables (Grass Carp Only)
• CO4 (Grass Carp Only)
• Guinea Grass (Grass Carp Only)
• Velam Paasi (Grass Carp Only)
• Napier Grass (Grass Carp Only)
• Alfalfa (Kuthirai Masal) (Grass Carp Only)
17. When to feed?
• The feed should be provided to the fishes at the same time everyday
18. Where to feed?
• The feed should be provided to the fishes at the same place everyday
  
19. How much to feed?
• Usually, the following can be used as a general rule
• Number of Fishes X Weight of Fish in Gms/100 = Quantity of Feed in Gms
20. How many times to feed?
• It is preferred to feed daily once or at the most twice in a day
21. What time to feed?
• It is suggested to feed in the early mornings
22. What is the Avg weight of fishes in 1 Yr period?
     

    Catla	1-1.5 Kgs
    Rohu	1 Kg
    Mrigal	1 Kg
    Silver Carp	1 Kg
    Grass Carp	1 Kg
    Common Carp	1 Kg


23. What is the harvest period?
• Starting from the 6th month onwards, the harvest can begin and the harvest needs to be completed by 1 year 
• Reason 1: The growth rate is very fast during the first 6 months and will reach its maximum (fast) growth by 1 year 
• Reason 2: The growth rate from the 2nd year will be very slow
24. What is the expected harvest in Kgs?
• 1500 Kgs to 1750 Kgs is the expected harvest per year for 1 Acre
25. What is the right time to release the fingerlings in the pond?
• Late evenings is a better option
• Reason 1: The temperature of the water should be (made) equivalent to the temperate in the plastic bag which contains the fingerlings
26. What are the materials that are required for fish farming?
• Drag Net 
• Fish Net for capturing few fishes for weighing purposes 
• Weighing Machine
27. What are the diseases that may occur in fish farming?
• Generally, the diseases wont occur if we maintain the stock density properly and the water quality in the right way

References : TNAU & Others



For gaining more information on Fish Farming, the following can be of great use to the readers.

1. http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0581e/T0581E00.htm#Contents
2. http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/agrodok.html (Small-scale freshwater fish farming & On-farm fish culture)

Multiple Ponds Design for Water Storage

Multiple Ponds Design for Water Storage

In this blog, we will discuss the need for Multiple Ponds and the ways to achieve that.

In a small farm, a single pond is dug at the lowest point or at an convenient place and it may be optimal for small farms just having a single pond.

In a big or large farm, a single pond may not be the right choice as water stored need to be moved around to the crops in need by either options like trenches or pipes etc.  If there is less rainfall, even a single pond of bigger size may not reach its full capacity and also evaporation and seepage will further reduce the water stored because of the bigger size.

Multiple Ponds avoids above mentioned pitfalls and has other benefits which are mentioned below.

1. Small Ponds (Multiple Ponds) get filled easily compared to a single big pond (even when rainfall is less)
2. Small Ponds (Multiple Ponds) evaporation as well as the seepage is less as the size of the pond is less.  This is true only when not all the ponds are filled
3. Due to many Small Ponds, Soil moisture is available for the crops near the ponds
4. Water is available nearby as the pond is placed in the centre of the farm and this can cater to the crop on both sides of the pond.  This reduces overhead like extra pipes etc



Multiple Ponds Design



How to go about creating the Multiple Small Ponds Design?

There are 4 components in the above picture and this picture is planned keeping in view the Rain Water Harvesting model.

1. Border Trenches
2. Internal Trenches
3. Water Flow Channel
4. Multiple Small Ponds

Note: If the water source is different from RWH, a simpler water flow channel can be created which in turn will connect to the individual ponds rather than connecting through the ponds

Border Trenches

• Border Trenches have to be dug on all sides of the farm
• The border trenches have to be 2 Ft Width & 1 Ft Depth or as required
• Only one opening is allowed in the border trench to connect to the water flow channel which in turn will connect to the first pond
• There should be an outlet in the border trench for drainage (at 0.5 Ft Depth from the top of the trench)

Internal Trenches

• Internal Trenches have to be dug on both sides of the pond (parallel to the pond)
• Internal Trenches have to be dug for the entire length of the farm and it should connect with the border trenches
• The internal trenches have to be 0.5 Ft to 1 Ft Width & 0.5 to 1 Ft Depth
• The internal trenches have to be 3 Ft or 1 Metre away from the pond.  This will ensure that the water does not reach the pond directly and as well keep the pond from collapsing during heavy rains
• The internal trenches will collect the water from the farm during the rains and send it to the border trench
• Can have bushes or plants between the internal trenches and the pond for safety purposes

Multiple Small Ponds

• Multiple ponds are created in the centre of the farm (either east-to-west direction or north-to-south direction)
• The ponds will not have any slope or bund as we are creating small ponds.  You can use the Single Pond Design for Water Storage specifications if the soil is very loose or collapsing
• The pond can be of any desired depth but 5 Ft Depth pond is desirable if fishes are grown
• The pond should be east to west if fishes are grown
• The pond can be north to south if fishes are not considered as north to south direction will minimize evaporation
• The pond should be either rectangle or square
• Rectangular pond is preferred if the breadth of the farm is less or if the length of the farm is more
• Each pond will be separated by 10 Ft gap (or less depending on the soil type) or more as this will ensure the ponds don't collapse
• Even the gaps between the ponds can be used for planting for crops like bananas etc

Water Flow Channel

• The water flow channel size should be similar to the internal trenches in size
• The water flow channel has to be from the border trench to the first pond
• The water flow channel has to be at least 1 Ft below the pond height
• There will be a water flow channel connecting each pond as well
• Once the first pond is filled, the next pond will get filled and so on

Integrated Farming - Demo video

The Urban Homestead model at a Glance - inspiring

The Urban Homestead model at a Glance

Proven model -  Details in the video

Sustainable, integrated Farming in less than 4000 square feet

Property Size: 66’ x 132’ = 8,712 sq.ft. (1/5 acre)

House: Simple, wood frame craftsman bungalow. Circa 1917.

House Size: 1,500 sq. ft.

Garden Size: ~ 1/10 acre (3,900 sq.ft. / ~ 66' x 66')

Garden Diversity: Over 350 different vegetables, herbs, fruits & berries

Productivity: Up to 6,000 lbs harvest annually on 1/10 acre