Introduction: Mastering the Basics First
Welcome to the Crop Suitability Matrix—your essential decision-making tool drawn from two decades of specialized rooftop experience. This matrix saves effort by matching a plant’s needs to the container’s limitations.
Our most critical piece of advice here is: Start with easier crops and keep adding complex ones as you learn and master the basics of soil, nutrients, watering, etc.
Some crops will do great even without any special efforts (the low-hassle champions), while others (the culinary standards) demand precise timing and care. This matrix is presented as your authoritative guide, but the pace of your learning remains entirely your choice.
Fun Nugget (The Golden Rule of Starting): We call the easy ones "Gateway Greens." These low-effort crops give you early, certain success, which is the best fertilizer for the gardener's motivation! Conversely, avoid "Master's Level" crops (like delicate cruciferous vegetables or specific fruit trees) until you have a full season under your belt.
The Suitability Matrix: Matching Plant to Place
This definitive chart compares the input requirements for the three main vegetable forms that perform best on rooftops.
| Crop Form | Examples | Sun Requirement | Water Requirement (1-5 Scale) | Root Depth/Volume (Container Size) | Ease of Growth (1-5 Scale) |
| Leafy Greens | Spinach, Coriander, Amaranth | 4-6 hours Direct Sun (Min) | 3 (Consistent Moisture) | Shallow (6-8 inches) | 1 (Easiest) |
| Creepers/Vines | Gourds, Cucumbers, Beans | 8+ hours Direct Sun (Max) | 5 (High Volume/Daily) | Deep (12-18 inches) | 3 (Medium) |
| Fruiting Bushes | Chili, Okra, Brinjal, Tomato | 6-8 hours Direct Sun | 4 (High Moisture/Deeply) | Deep (10-15 inches) | 2 (Easy-Medium) |
| Tubers/Roots | Radish, Carrot, Turmeric | 6+ hours Direct Sun | 3 (Consistent/Avoid Waterlogging) | Deep (10-12 inches) | 3 (Medium) |
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Note: Water requirement scale 5 is highest (needs water daily); Ease of Growth scale 1 is easiest.
Fun Fact Nugget (The Tubers' Trick)
From our data: Tubers (like Radish and Carrot) are deceptively simple. While they are a Medium effort to grow, they are a Master's Level challenge to get straight and perfect! The only absolute rule for root crops is to use a container deeperthan the plant's final expected length and ensure the potting mix is loose (no stones or hard lumps) to prevent forking or bending.
