Terrace gardening is the perfect choice to turn your dull and empty-looking terrace into a beautiful portrayal of nature. This hobby can bring you one step closer to nature and help you utilize unused space in the best way possible. A terrace garden is a rising choice in many urban places where people don’t have much space to create a garden.
Gardening is easy but terrace gardening can be a bit complicated. However, if you are familiar with the basics of gardening then it’ll be no problem for you to create your own terrace garden. So let’s take a look at some tips to make a terrace garden-
1. Check the Strength of your Roof:
Before you start planning a terrace garden you need to check the strength of your roof. If your roof can not sustain the plants then it can cause damage to the building. Therefore, you need to check the strength of your roof and for that, you can hire an expert to give you a piece of good advice. You can also add a layer of sand and cement to your roof or opt for normal waterproofing for a budget-friendly option.
Choosing the right and strong place is essential for terrace gardens so as to not cause any harm to the building and plants.
2. Monitor the Environment:
Once you’ve made your roof strong, the next step is to figure out some important factors such as the amount of sunlight, temperature, and wind patterns of your roof. These are some important factors that will help you select the type of plants you can grow in your terrace garden.
3. Choose between Pots and Soil Patches:
You can grow plants in both pots and soil patches but for your terrace garden, you need to select one of them. For beginners, it is recommended to go for potted plants as they are easy to maintain. But if you opt for soil patches the first thing you need to do is to waterproof the roof. Waterproofing the roof is very necessary for terrace gardening and it’s a one-time thing only.
Though waterproofing the roof is also important even if you add potted plants to your terrace garden. Potted plants do provide more benefits than soil patches as they are easy to care for and can be shifted according to your need. They also cost less.
4. Select the right Plants:
Many factors such as water requirements, type of soil, and area can affect the choices of plants for your terrace garden. Apart from these the most important thing to consider is the sunlight requirement of the plants in your terrace garden. So get to know about the light requirement for each of your plants. Create a shed using nets to provide shade to the plants with less light requirement.
Another good suggestion would be to group the plants with more light requirements together. This will also help you in watering the plants.
5. Watering:
Once you’ve selected the plants for your terrace garden. The next step is to water them and for that, you need to have a water source on your roof. It is not possible to carry buckets full of water every time you need to water your plants. So it is suggested to install a pump or tap through which you can easily fetch water for your plants easily. Create a watering schedule for your plants and as the plants in a terrace garden tend to dry out frequently due to high winds and sunlight it is recommended to use a drip irrigation system to conserve water. It will also eliminate the need to water plants regularly.
6. Protect your Plants:
No matter where you grow plants, pests and diseases will find a way to harm them. The same is the case with terrace gardening, in terrace gardens also you need to protect your plants. Keep a regular check on your plants as the plants in a terrace garden are out of our view so there are more chances to overlook any signs of pest or disease infections. And not only pests and diseases, but birds can also damage the plants. For this, it is recommended to use nets or windbreakers as they can also protect the plants from harsh sunlight and strong winds.
If your plants are infected with any disease or pest then rely on natural remedies such as neem oil instead of pesticides and fertilizers.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Terrace Garden:
Terrace garden is indeed a great choice for many but it also comes with it’s challenges and problems. So let’s have a look at its pros and cons-
Advantages:
- It is a good option for many people residing in urban places who dream of having a garden.
- A terrace garden can beautify empty roofs and can create an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
- Terrace gardening can improve air quality by eliminating harmful gases around your living space.
- You can grow many vegetables and fruits in your terrace garden and have access to fresh edible plants.
- Terrace gardens are also helpful in reducing stress and creating a calming effect.
Disadvantages:
- Creating a terrace garden can be relatively costlier than a normal garden.
- A terrace garden also requires more care and attention.
- It can also put a significant load on the building causing a threat to the structure.
- It can cause leakage if not waterproofed carefully and without a proper rainwater harvesting system.
- A terrace garden also has a limited number of plants that can be grown in harsh weather conditions such as frost or heatwaves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What type of Plants can I grow in my Terrace Garden?
There are many different types of plants that can be grown in a terrace garden. But for beginners, it is recommended to start with low-maintenance plants. Some plants that are famously grown in terrace gardens are basil, tomatoes, radish, parsley, and mint. You can also grow ornamental plants such as marigolds or succulents and even small trees.
Are Terrace Gardens safe?
Yes, terrace gardens are safe as long as you have high protective rails and raised walls around them. Other than this waterproofing the roof is also important so as to not provide any damage to the structure.
How do I protect my Terrace Garden?
The best way to protect a terrace garden is to cover it with nets or sheets. This will protect your plants from pests, birds, extreme sunlight, and strong winds. You can choose anything to cover your garden. A strong cover is recommended to protect the plants during rain.
Can I do vertical gardening on my terrace?
Yes, vertical gardening is a very good option, especially for small terraces. You can place hanging baskets or trays to grow a variety of plants such as peas, cucumbers, grapes, and many other climbing plants.
Conclusion
So if you are planning to make a terrace garden these are some of the key points that you should consider first. A terrace garden is a great way to change the looks of your roof. Even though terrace gardening has its challenges you can still learn to implement it step by step. With careful planning and understanding you transform your roof into a beautiful garden filled with healthy plants.
Raghav is a talented content writer with a passion to create informative and interesting articles. With a degree in English Literature, Raghav possesses an inquisitive mind and a thirst for learning. Raghav is a fact enthusiast who loves to unearth fascinating facts from a wide range of subjects. He firmly believes that learning is a lifelong journey and he is constantly seeking opportunities to increase his knowledge and discover new facts. So make sure to check out Raghav’s work for a wonderful reading.
