The complete rooftop garden guide: from plan to harvest
Structure and safety, containers, soil mix, drainage, watering and a weekly routine — all in one guide.
For Bangladesh · a knowledge base for self-reliant living
Your own food, water and energy
A reliable step-by-step guide to self-reliance. From rooftop gardens to compost, rainwater to solar — guides, crop calendars, problem solvers and calculators matched to Bangladesh’s seasons and soil.
Start the learning path Crop guideSix seasonsSummerApr–JunMonsoonJun–AugEarly AutumnAug–OctLate AutumnOct–DecWinterDec–FebSpringFeb–Apr
In the field this month
January · Poush–Magh
Winter harvests continue. Stake tomatoes and prune suckers. Cover seedlings on foggy nights; water in the morning.
44in-depth guides and articles
20full crop profiles
12common problems solved
2languages: Bangla & English
Core guides
All articles →Complete, in-depth guides
The complete compost guide: materials, methods and troubleshooting
The green–brown ratio, five methods, how to tell it’s ready and a troubleshooting table.
Rainwater harvesting: sizing, setup and use
How much your roof yields, how to catch and store it, and where it is safe to use.
From seedbed to transplant: the complete guide
Seedbed soil, sowing, germination times, hardening off and transplanting.
Solar power for a household: parts, sizing and safety
What each part does, a worked sizing example and safe practice.
By topic
Nine areas of knowledge
Getting StartedPlans, sites and first stepsGrowing FoodVegetables, fruit and careRooftop & Small SpaceBig yields in small spacesSoil & CompostBuild natural fertilityWater & IrrigationRain, irrigation, clean waterSolar & CookingMake your own energyPoultry & BeesThe home farmPreserving & SeedsKeep harvests and seedsForagingWild edible greens
Structured course
Details →The learning path: six modules
MODULE 1
Planning
Goals and site, crop planning, spacing, bed design
2–3 hoursMODULE 2Soil & compost
Soil mix, organic fertiliser, compost bins, mulch
2 hoursMODULE 3Water
Rainwater, irrigation, safe water, solar still
2 hoursMODULE 4Growing
Seed to seedling, trellises, pests, orchard, rooftop
3–4 hoursMODULE 5Preserving & seed
Drying, pickling, eggs, seed saving
1–2 hoursMODULE 6Energy, animals, foraging
Solar, rocket stove, chickens, bees, safe foraging
3 hoursLatest
All articles →Latest articles
The complete rooftop garden guide: from plan to harvest
Structure and safety, containers, soil mix, drainage, watering and a weekly routine — all in one guide.
The complete compost guide: materials, methods and troubleshooting
The green–brown ratio, five methods, how to tell it’s ready and a troubleshooting table.
Rainwater harvesting: sizing, setup and use
How much your roof yields, how to catch and store it, and where it is safe to use.
From seedbed to transplant: the complete guide
Seedbed soil, sowing, germination times, hardening off and transplanting.
Solar power for a household: parts, sizing and safety
What each part does, a worked sizing example and safe practice.
Backyard desi chickens: housing, feed, health and protection
Coop design, feed, vaccination, egg collection and predator protection in one guide.
Choosing your site: where to put garden and home
Flood level, water, sun and slope — what to check before you commit to a spot.
Food Freedom: a year of eating only what you grow and forage
What we can learn from Robin Greenfield’s year-long experiment.
Tools
Do the maths yourself
- Rainwater — how many litres can your roof collect a year?
- Solar — what panel and battery do you need?
- Beds and spacing — how many plants fit?
- Garden journal and 30-day challenge
FAQ
Common questions
How much space do I need to start?
One pot or drum is enough. Start with red amaranth, coriander and chili; once it works, build a 4×8 ft bed.
What can I plant in the monsoon?
Gourds, bitter gourd, okra, amaranth and Malabar spinach in raised beds or pots. Never let water stand.
Where do I get compost and seed?
Make compost yourself. Get seed from your local agriculture office, trusted shops or neighbours — and save seed from your best plants.
Are these posts translated from books?
No. We rewrite the ideas in our own words, adapted to Bangladesh’s seasons. See the Books page for sources.