Introduction: Why Square Foot Pallet?? : Comparing the Types of Terrace Gardening

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About: Aspiring entrepreneur and an ardent hobbyist.I like to make useful and practical projects that create the most impact in a society.

Everybody know why gardening is awesome! There is no denying it....

Growing your own food and flowers. It puts a smile in your face like no other. The art of gardening has taught me a lot of valuable life lessons.

Over the years of roof top gardening we have learnt a thing or two, we faced all the problems one could face and so we have come up with an amazing system to do it right.

Click here for building the Square Foot Pallet

Before we explain why build the Square Foot Pallet let us see why not...!

Step 1: Poly Grow Bags

Here the bag is made of LDPE or HDPE plastic of various thicknesses. The soil mix is filled in and holes are punched in the bottom to drain the excess water. It is one of the cheapest systems for starters.

Demerits of gardening in Grow Bags:

  • Easily tears apart, if mishandled with tools and pointy objects.
  • Lasts no more than 1-2 years in sunlight and soil weight.
  • The roots get to grow only downwards and many times soil and height of the soil is not enough for the roots.
  • There is no gap between the bag and terrace, this is a huge hazard for the terrace, Over time water seeps and weakens the roof in the long run.‎
  • The bag being made of plastic let's zero aeration into the soil for a healthy microbial and soil-root symbiosis.‎
  • Plastic obviously being used is not the best Eco-friendly method let alone the garden gets an artificial look.
  • If the bags aren't UV treated, they wont last a month is harsh sunlight.

Why Square Foot Pallet?

  • Extremely Rugged.
  • Lasts a minimum 5-6 years.
  • Eco-friendly!!
  • Clear elevation between pallet and roof for maintenance and water seepage.
  • Natural Aeration of roots replicating a normal everyday garden.
  • Inexpensive.

Step 2: Concrete Pots, Tubs and Planters

Concrete planters are basically containers made of concrete to hold soil and since these are made of concrete they can be shaped however needed. They are usually planned while constructing a new building but there are some ready made planters available in the market too.

Demerits of using Concrete planter:

  • Extremely heavy to maneuver in a terrace and in some cases they are permanent.
  • Expensive to construct.
  • Too heavy for the terrace in some cases may pose a threat to the strength of the terrace.
  • They are obviously not the most Eco-friendly method as they us a lot raw materials like cement, sand and bricks

Why Square Foot Pallet?

  • Extremely Rugged.
  • Lasts a minimum 5-6 years.
  • Eco-friendly!!
  • Clear elevation between pallet and roof for maintenance and water seepage.
  • Natural Aeration of roots replicating the conditions of a normal everyday garden.

  • Inexpensive.

Step 3: Clay Pots

Clay pots are the most comfortable to work with and also give a natural look to a terrace. They provide natural aeration.

Demerits of using Clay Pots:

  • Unfortunately they are not very eco friendly as they are made of top soil and this leads to soil erosion.
  • Clay pots though solid, are very brittle in nature.
  • They can easily crack and break.
  • Also these pots are a bit on the expensive side nowadays.

Why Square Foot Pallet?

  • Extremely Rugged.
  • Lasts a minimum 5-6 years.
  • Eco-friendly!!
  • Clear elevation between pallet and roof for maintenance and water seepage.
  • Natural Aeration of roots replicating the conditions of a normal everyday garden.

  • Inexpensive.

Step 4: Frames of Metal

One common sightings of modern terrace gardens is the containers made of metal. Here a metal frame(iron) is made along the perimeter of the cuboid and plastic sheets or structures are lined inside. This system employs a square foot approach as well which is very beneficial for the garden ecosystem.

Demerits of using metal frames in a terrace garden:

  • First things first, they are made of iron and iron just loves to rust in a garden. They wouldn't last 2 years without any maintenance.
  • ‎Iron is expensive to purchase and be welded as desired.
  • ‎Only the perimeter of the structure is iron, the rest is made of plastic. Not only does the plastic experience wear and tear but also it bulges and experiences stress all over. Never have I seen it sustain more than 2 years.

Why Square Foot Pallet?

  • Extremely Rugged.
  • Lasts a minimum 5-6 years.
  • Eco-friendly!!
  • Clear elevation between pallet and roof for maintenance and water seepage.
  • Natural Aeration of roots replicating the conditions of a normal everyday garden.

  • Inexpensive.

Step 5: Make Your Own Square Foot Pallet!!!!

So in this instructable we have gone through types of terrace gardening and their demerits. We have successfully explained why Square foot Pallet is a better alternative...

SO....

What are you waiting for

Click Here!