Guess??

Shanvy · Feb 25, 2015

@Chillbreeze i will make gardening more easier for you. are you aware that you can get a starter kit from the govt on production of address book and ration card. it is available in chennai,cbe.
Horticulture :: schemes :: Do It Yourself Kit Program
Help to raise a vegetable garden at home - The Hindu

there is a youtube link tut too.

you can actually make use cocopeat and soil combination that makes it lighter and safer on roof. and it is easily available in the kit itself..ah life could not be more easier for a gardener..kudos to the govt for trying to encourage kitchen gardening.

with herbs you can try aloevera, tulasi, betel, omavalli. along with this you can try mulaikeerai that is easy.
http://www.indusladies.com/forums/gardening/76931-the-mini-pharmacy-your-garden.html

P.S.- be wary of the summer, that is definitely going to be scorcher. do not blame yourself if you fail a few times..talk to your plants and be aware of what plant needs how much water...all the best and may you start sharing those wonderful yields here.

there are many small local groups that do seed sharing and plant sharing, check out for ones in your areas.

chillbreeze · Feb 26, 2015

Thanks for the info Shanvy. Since you said to be careful of summer I am hesitating now. I will read up on the thread you mentioned and gather some more info and then proceed.

satchitananda · Mar 3, 2015

CB, I started something akin to composting before I got this kit - I used to collect all the veggie peels, run it through a spin in the mixer, mix it with the overflow water from the RO filter and water my plants. I did that because whole veg peels might attract rodents. I did not have any problem with that.

Of late I procured a 3 pot "khamba" from the local daily dump. They also provide stuff like a starter (made of coconut fiber and a dry bacterial culture). Here is the link to their site with details on where to get the equipment and how to go about it. It's quite simple actually. Home page | Daily Dump

satchitananda · Mar 24, 2015

@chillbreeze, here is more on the subject.

Vegetable peels, stalks etc. put through mixer and mixed with RO wash water

Composting khamba in one corner of my balcony

The first lot of compost which has been left for maturing - should be usable by next month.

joylokhi · Mar 25, 2015

Hi shanvy,
looks like mixture of dried leaves, flowers , the brown portions - used tea leaves etc?
as you said - guessing

satchitananda · Mar 25, 2015

Yes Joylokhi, vegetable waste (peels etc.), coffee powder, dry leaves, 'accelerator' (a mixture of cocopeat and a starter culture which I got from the "Daily Dump").