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The rooftop is divided into two distinct areas: one half for fruit trees and the other half for vegetables. (Photo provided by the subject) |
Ma Thi Chi had long dreamed of having a green garden to satisfy her love of growing things. When she moved into her new home in 9/2024, she decided to turn the 80-square-meter rooftop into her own personal farm.
Working in the construction industry, Chi understood the importance of waterproofing and drainage to ensure the safety of the structure. She invested 30 million VND in installing a roof, building trellises and shelving systems, preparing pots, soil, fertilizer, and seedlings.
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In addition to vegetables, Chi has a bountiful harvest of grapes, melons, guavas, and apples. She planted two candy grape vines and one Bailey grape vine. (Photo provided by the subject) |
The rooftop is divided into two distinct areas: one half for fruit trees and the other half for vegetables. (Photo provided by the subject)
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She bought these grape vines as small plants, and after just 7 months, she harvested the first batch of grapes, weighing 7 kg. "The grapes are crisp, sweet, and fragrant. Everyone who tries them praises them," she shared. (Photo provided by the subject) |
Chi's first priority was to keep the garden clean and hygienic to avoid impacting her family's life. She trained climbing plants on separate trellises, arranged leafy vegetables in appropriate containers, and carefully calculated sunlight and shade to choose the right plants.
"The most difficult part of starting a garden was carrying soil and fertilizer up to the rooftop. The next hardest thing is scrubbing the floor every day," Chi shared.
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Her office work keeps Chi busy all day, but every morning from 6-7 am and evening from 8-9 pm, she dedicates her time to the garden. The vegetable garden is not only a source of fresh food but also a personal space that helps her relax and recharge after a long day. (Photo provided by the subject) |
Gardening inevitably comes with pest challenges. For instance, when growing melons, spider mites attacked just two days later, preventing the plants from growing leaves. Spraying biological products like Bio-B and Nem didn't work, so Chi had to resort to specialized pesticides.
Before she could celebrate, thrips and mosaic virus appeared. She combined all possible measures: spraying biological products, anti-root rot agents, watering with beer, and catching bugs at night with a flashlight. "Seeing the plants revive made me feel as happy as if I had won a major battle," Chi said.
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"The best part is having a neighbor who gardens with me. Every morning and afternoon, we water the plants and chat, making life feel much more relaxed," she said. (Photo provided by the subject) |
Thanks to her diligence and the advice of a neighbor, her efforts yielded positive results from the start.
For example, on 29/6, Chi planted seedlings. After just two weeks, the vegetables had grown into a lush green carpet, including various types of mustard greens, spinach, jute mallow, and lettuce. One planting provided enough food for a whole month.
"To achieve this, I carefully prepared the soil with soybean powder, completely organic, planted in the right season, so the vegetables grew quickly and without pests," Chi explained.
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In addition to vegetables, Chi has a bountiful harvest of grapes, melons, guavas, and apples. She planted two candy grape vines and one Bailey grape vine. (Photo provided by the subject)
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She bought these grape vines as small plants, and after just 7 months, she harvested the first batch of grapes, weighing 7 kg. "The grapes are crisp, sweet, and fragrant. Everyone who tries them praises them," she shared. (Photo provided by the subject)
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Over the past 10 months, Chi has planted three melon crops, one of which failed, and two yielded abundant harvests.
"After the failure of the first crop, I learned from my experience. The next time, I confidently planted a variety of melons, including pear melons, net melons, and frog melons, and harvested dozens of fruits," Chi said.
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Her office work keeps Chi busy all day, but every morning from 6-7 am and evening from 8-9 pm, she dedicates her time to the garden. The vegetable garden is not only a source of fresh food but also a personal space that helps her relax and recharge after a long day. (Photo provided by the subject)
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"The best part is having a neighbor who gardens with me. Every morning and afternoon, we water the plants and chat, making life feel much more relaxed," she said. (Photo provided by the subject)
Phan Duong
Photos provided by the subject
