Process journal

Synopsis of my Personal Project

Personal Project mind map

Defining a clear goal

The topic that I have chosen is very close to my heart - "Terrace Gardening"

Well, it may sound simple. But it involves physical work, some knowledge about plants, some engineering and finally my time. Somehow, I feel relaxed when I am associated with nature.

The project includes Terrace gardening equipment, ratio of soil, manure and coco-Pete  and  drip irrigation. I would also like to include hydroponic gardening. It is new upcoming topic in gardening.

This can be modeled and implemented. We can also take for investment as a part time business.


Defining a global context
Global context "Personal and cultural expression" beacuse the topic I have chosen can closely connect to the question "What is the nature and purpose of creative expression?". so, with this project I would enjoy my creativity and explore different ways to extend my interest.

For a safety of the slab, I had researched few alternatives and also concentrated which is economical and safe

slab protection ideas

Rate                            12                      10                       80 to 100            

Though the plate is cheap I am going for the brick, to avoid issues of water stangnet in the plate.

 Area-

Depends on the shape of the area, shade and sunlight
It is necessary for the plant to grow with proper sunlight, basing on these we can decide the number of pot that can be accommodated.
The length of my terrace is 33 feet
           The width is 20 feet
but what I could utilize id 33 *10 = 330 feet +70 feet= 400 feet

0. Data collection: Research skills
1. 
   

Different pots/grow bags:

I had used few of them, I also reused the paint buckets that I had in my house 

Price list in amazon: https://www.amazon.in/Plant-Bags/b?ie=UTF8&node=3639061031

0. Drip irrigation materials:
1. 
2. 
   
3. Photos of my garden view : Planning
4. 
   

Table to replicate the model and investment

Materials	For 25kg -5 plants Rs.	For 50kg – 10 plants Rs.	For 100kg  20 plants Rs.
Coco-pete	250	500	100
Manure	230	460	920
soil	50	100	150
No of pots
25l paint bucket  each 100	5 * 100 = 500	10 * 100= 1000	20 * 100 = 2000
total	1030	2060	3170
10l paint bucket  each 80	10 * 80 =800	20 * 80 = 1600	40 * 80 = 3200
total	1330

Drip irrigation can be done for plant 20 and above

Manure making at home: Recycle

to reduce the burden of buying or adding organic manure, I make at home. The above pictures explain how it looks and can be used

It takes nearly 1 month to convert into organic manure

While researching best methods of terrace/roof garden I came to  know about Hydrophonics.

Aquatic plants:
My water lilly plant

Water lilly grows best in black soil, water is stagnent and there are chances of mosquitoes.

To avoid mosquitoes add fish into the water.

It would be a soothing scene in the morning









Hydrophonics:
Definition: the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil (i.e., soil less). This technique instead uses a mineral nutrient solution in a water solvent, allowing the nutrient uptake process to be more efficient than when using soil. There are several types or variations of hydroponics.

There are several types of hydroponic growing techniques, including:

Aquaponics is hydroponics combined with aquaculture (raising fish)

Hydrophonic Equipments 

1. 1. Body The body consists of plastic, rectangular channels, special little pots, a supporting base and a water tank. Source: olamesa.homeftp.net/grow/hydroponic-equipment/
2. 2.Nutritional solutions. Special nutritional solutions are added in the water tank to feed the plants. 3.Ph measurer and regulating ph solution. The plants need water with a ph of about 5.5 to 6.0.
3. 4.Air pump. An air pump will provide water with clean air and all the oxygen needed. 
4. 5. Water pump. It will send water from the tank to the plants.
5. 6.Pumice gravel or clay. They are light and porous materials and support plants in the pots. 
6. 7.Water conductivity measurer (tds, ppm, ec meter). This instrument is very important as it measures salts in water, thus we can calculate quantities of nutrients to be added.
7.  8. Greenhouse. The success key in hydroponics is: a lot of attention to the last detail. The more we check everything in the greenhouse, the better the results. 
8. 9. Fan We must ensure that air circulates among the plants in the greenhouse.
9. 10. Thermometre. We need it to measure water temperature which should be 21-24 degrees C. 
10. 11. Young plants. Plants should have developed enough roots, free of soil or any other dirt that could possibly block the water pump.
11. 
    
12.  Home hydroponic garden Tools and materials 
13. 1. Black, plastic bags (thick and resistant) 
14. 2. A styrofoam box with a lid (the one we usually use as an ice bucket) 
15. 3. 6 styrofoam cups 
16. 4. 27 litres of distilled water 
17. 5. A marker 
18. 6. A cutter 
19. 7. Pearlite 
20. 8. Some moss 
21. 9. Lettuce seedlings or seeds, enough for 6 plants 
22. 10. Nutritional mixture Dr Gene Giacomelli, http://ag.arizona.edu/pls/faculty/giacomelli.htm Source: http://cityfarmer.gr/2012/06/27/pws-na-ftiaxete-to-diko-sas-ydroponiko-kipo/

Steps for Hydrophonic at home with links

0. Step 1:Assemble the Hydroponic System
1. Step 2:Mix the Nutrients and Water in the Tank
2. Step 3:Add Plants to the Growing Tubes
3. Step 4:Tie the Plants to the Trellis
4. Step 5:Turn on the Pump and Monitor the System Daily
5. Step 6:Monitor Plant Growth
6. Step 7:Inspect for Pests and Diseases

one more link of a site which answers many of your questions
https://www.instructables.com/id/Hydroponics---at-Home-and-for-Beginners/

I see Hydrophonics is a costly affair, this is slowly growing in India
The below link from amazon shows the price list
https://www.amazon.in/slp/hydroponics-kit/t99ky57j6r3jbbt

I will try out with materials I have at home and take a step further.

0. 
   
1. 
   

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. 
   
6.