How green is my balcony!

Start with something easy

Shouson Hill resident Caroline Ma started farming on her roof last year, finally realizing a childhood interest in gardening. "I was thinking more about sustainability," she notes. "I have always wanted to make better use of our roof and encourage my daughter Adelyn to eat more vegetables."

She began planting the seeds collected during various travels. "I started with mint and basil, and then challenged myself with zucchini and melon. Now I grow cantaloupes and daikon radish, which my mother-in-law used during Lunar New Year to make radish cakes."

For Ma, farming is a meditative experience. "I am in my own little world and I can forget about the world's problems for a brief period," she says. Like To, she too has made friends over farming, exchanging seeds and harvests, and comparing notes with fellow urban farmers.

"Also, I am active in promoting urban farming and local non-genetically modified seeds," Ma adds. "Many friends started their own rooftop or balcony farms after seeing my harvests on social media."

Her roof is not the most ideal spot for growing things though, exposed as it is to unrelenting sun and wind. Still, Ma is grateful to have a bit of outdoor space.

"I highly encourage everyone to try growing something," she states. "Roofs, balconies, terraces and gardens have their advantages and limitations. Start with something easy. Use organic and good quality soil, seeds and fertilizers. Find out what is seasonal to grow. Talk to other amateur urban farmers. Most like me are very eager to share. And if there is no space to grow at home, you can always rent a space in urban farms such as Vegefarmhk."

"The government assumes that urban farms are commercial ventures and are not as willing to invest in them," Pryor says. "Well-being or happiness cannot be monetized. Urban farming ticks all the right boxes: it promotes social well-being, and intergenerational interaction, among many other benefits"