Terrace gardening is a trend that is popular in metropolitan cities, due to space constraints. Terrace gardens can help people to enjoy greenery and nurture vegetables, flowers and fruits. A home terrace garden can be developed on the roof of any industrial, commercial or residential building.
In this article, we share some interesting terrace gardening ideas you can try at your home.
Terrace gardening: Advantages
Gardening is a fun way to relax, overcome mental exhaustion and anxiety. Building a terrace garden helps the environment by reducing one’s carbon footprint and improving greenery in megacities.
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“Today, people are attracted to the idea of terrace gardens / food farms, as these support local green spaces, enable one to recycle organic waste, grow organic items, vegetables and fruits for self-consumption and to bring back the lost diversity of butterflies, birds and bees. It also becomes a hands-on environmental learning ground for urban children and adults,” says Preeti Patil, founder of Mumbai-based Urban Leaves.
The terrace garden design does not merely involve styling and layout of the area. Apart from the terrace garden layout plan, various other aspects also need to be considered. So, here are some home terrace garden ideas that one can consider.
Terrace garden design plan: Flooring
While considering the terrace garden design plan, take into account the civil conditions (load/weight-bearing capacity), waterproofing of slabs and structure of the building.
“The slope of the terrace garden roof floor should be towards proper drainage outlets. The type of tiles fitted on the floors play an important role in keeping the space clean and skid-proof, especially during the monsoon. In high-rises, next to the sea, windbreakers may be needed to keep the home terrace garden safe from strong winds, especially the smaller plants. A small, shaded and protected area can be used, to keep the garden materials/tools safe and secure,” says Patil.
Read also: A guide to waterproofing your home
Terrace garden water and drainage systems
It is advisable to waterproof the terrace surface to avert any leakage. A proper drainage system is a prerequisite. If the water does not drain properly, it will stagnate and damage the building. So, it is one crucial factor when looking at a terrace garden plan for your house. Ensure there is proper slope. In areas that are windy and receive heavy rains, dried leaves can choke the drains. So, proper maintenance is a must. A watering facility should be planned so that it can reach all areas of the terrace for efficient watering of the terrace garden plants.
Terrace garden design and layout plan
Choose a terrace garden layout plan based on the available space and then, select the type of plants for the home terrace garden design. Some plants need more sunlight. Try to understand the plant’s requirements and then, finalise the layout. Depending upon the space and the availability of sunlight, one can grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers on the top roof garden. Always opt for diverse plant types. You can go for a terrace garden design plan, based on the area available for plants, the colour of plants and pots, type of flooring, furniture, canopy, a grass lawn, meditation corner, lights and other décor elements.
See also: Balcony gardening ideas for Indian homes
Raised beds or pots for terrace garden
Depending on the civil conditions and load-bearing capacity, one needs to decide which containers to use. With terraces having good waterproofing and load-bearing capacity, brick beds can be productive. While placing brick beds for the terrace garden in a house, one needs to ensure that it does not obstruct the flow of rainwater and allows good drainage. However, for terraces that do not have adequate load-bearing capacity, smaller containers like drums or beds on stands can be used.
See also: How to set up a kitchen garden at home
Plants for terrace garden
Flowers on the terrace garden
One can grow hibiscus, frangipani, marigold, periwinkle, rose and other flowers that can add a colourful dimension to the terrace garden landscape. If there isn’t enough space on the terrace, one can grow flowers in garden boxes and hang them along the railings. Incorporate plants with vibrant flowers into your terrace garden ideas for home.
Vegetable gardening on terrace
Sunny terraces are ideal spots to grow edible plants. With people increasingly focusing on health and wellness, one can grow immunity-boosting plants like aloe vera, ginger and tulsi plant.
See also: Tips to grow your own indoor vegetable garden
“One can grow almost everything on a terrace, including mango, papaya, pomegranate, betel nut, cotton and rice too. However for beginners, while selecting plants to grow on the terrace, one must first list what one needs or uses regularly in their kitchen. So, go in for lemongrass, mint, ginger, curry leaves, chilli, turmeric, spinach, fenugreek, green sorrel, radish, beetroot, etc., which are easy to grow. Try to grow local and seasonal varieties, depending on which part of the country you live in. For example, there are varieties of eggplant in India that grow in different seasons. In any region, one has at least one variety growing in each season,” adds Patil.
Terrace garden seating area
Outdoor seating can be one of the essential elements when implementing terrace gardening ideas for home. Select furniture that matches the overall setting and create a place to lounge with family and friends. The seating area of the terrace area can be covered with bamboo roofs or colourful canopies, for protection against the sun and rain. One can build a bench-style seat or have hammocks and swings. Also, there is a huge range of all-weather furniture, from rattan, bamboo, wood, metals, etc. Combine plants with seating – you can use tall plants in raised beds behind the seating to screens or trellises for privacy.
See also: Benefits of bamboo tree
Lighting for terrace garden
Those looking for magnificent lighting ideas for a home terrace garden can go bold for a dramatic effect or subtle for an intimate ambience. Choose low-voltage, energy-efficient and long-lasting LED lighting all around the walls. Use interesting lights, from walkway lighting, walls lights, hanging lights, or glowing rocks, to create an ethereal effect in the terraced garden area. Use wide spotlights or floor lamps to brighten up the garden area. Solar-powered lights are another great option today.
Terrace painting ideas
Adding a dash of new paint colour will give a fresh look to your home terrace garden apart from the greenery adding by the plants. There are many innovative ways to make the space welcoming and attractive. Colours like bright yellows and earthy hues like browns and green are perfect for your terraced garden. You can kindly your creative skills and go for DIY terrace painting ideas and place suitable furniture matching the colour scheme.
Composting on a terrace garden
Composting is a form of waste management and recycling. Composting kitchen waste on a terrace provides nutrient-rich soil for plants. It improves the soil structure in your terraced garden. Compost helps to reduce waste that goes to the landfills and is the best nourishment that one can give to the edible varieties of plants. It is also lighter in weight than soil bought from stores. Vegetable refuse, peels, tea, etc., can be turned into compost with a carbon catalyst such as dry leaves, sawdust, etc. The addition of microbes to the mixture boosts the composting process and breaks down the garbage into rich black compost, in approximately six weeks.
How to maintain a terrace garden?
Here are some tips for maintaining a terrace garden.
- Choose the right furniture. In addition to complementing the aesthetics of your terrace, it should also be durable enough to withstand the outdoor use and weather damage.
- Make sure to waterproof the roof before building the garden as water damage can cause leaks.
- Water your plants as needed by them to keep them in good condition. Dead plants can ruin the entire look of your terrace garden.
- Keep pruning plants as and when needed to keep them from growing out of control.
- Be careful while applying pesticides as if you choose the one that’s too harsh, it can cause damage to your entire garden.
Terrace garden: Disadvantages
While there are numerous benefits of a terrace garden, there are some drawbacks as well. These include:
- It can be expensive to build and maintain, particularly if you have a huge terrace.
- If you don’t waterproof your roof beforehand, it can lead to water damage and erosion.
- It causes excess water to accumulate without a proper rainwater harvesting system.
- Maintaining a terrace garden can take a lot of time and effort.
FAQ
How to prepare a terrace garden?
Designing a terrace garden involves planning the layout, selecting the plants and pots, arranging seating options and an ecosystem to nurture the plants.
Is a terrace garden safe?
A well-planned terrace garden that is built taking into consideration the load-bearing capacity of the building, can not only be safe but also add beauty and value to the building.
What are the common terrace garden problems?
Leakage, water seepage, pests and accumulation of dirt are the most common problems in terrace gardens that are not maintained properly.
What to grow in a terrace garden?
One can grow flowering plants, edible vegetables and even tall trees on a terrace garden, depending on various conditions.
Purnima Goswami Sharma is a freelance writer based in Mumbai, who has been contributing to various newspapers, magazines and portals for the last two decades. Besides being a research writer for various TV shows, she has been a visiting faculty at SNDT for Communication Skills. She hold a master’s degree in English Literature from Mumbai University and a diploma in Communications and Journalism. She writes on diverse subjects like real estate, interiors, education, lifestyle, health, entertainment and environment.
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