Terrace gardens are basically gardens that you create on your rooftop or balcony. If you live in an apartment, the chances of having your own private terrace garden are probably slim. However this need not stop you from exercising some clever small terrace garden ideas in your balcony.
Depending on the layout and size of your space there are a variety of terrace garden ideas that you can explore. Always remember that terrace gardens are not just limited to aesthetics. They can be relatively functional allowing you to grow your own fruits and vegetables.
The first step is to determine if your roof slab is strong enough to handle the load of a terrace garden, including the weight of the soil, waterproofing systems, plants and seating arrangements. Ideally, interior designers and architects recommend consulting a professional to accurately analyze your structural system and determine the right location for your rooftop garden. "The site will depend on the location of your load-bearing walls and columns. In some instances, such as in the case of a cantilevered roof, the slab can support less weight," says Noyona Goswami, an architect.
According to Noyona, terrace gardens entail some essential pre-treatments. In any terrace garden, care must be taken to plan drainage points and prevent stagnation of water. Water stagnation and seepage can cause cracks in the roof slab and long-term structural damage. "To prevent this, the roof slab should be first treated with a layer of screed concrete (a thin layer of cement and sand or fine aggregate that makes a smooth, level surface for further treatments) and then waterproofed with a chemical compound like bitumen. If one is using planter boxes, these compounds can be applied to them before filling them with soil. For proper and efficient drainage, one can use a layer of PVC drainage cells, topped with a layer of geotextile fabric (a synthetic, absorbent gardening fabric). The soil is then poured on top of these two layers," she informs.
Getting the right soil moisture is also imperative. "The soil mixture for terrace gardens is slightly different from the one used for outdoor gardens. This is because the soil needs to promote drainage and be lightweight, as well," says Shibani Gogoi who owns a terrace garden. "The soil needs to be a mix of soil conditioners, fertilizers and regular garden soil. Soil conditioners can be used to enhance water retention and help retain nutrients. One can also use silicon-based soil conditioners like vermiculite or organic options like coco peat and peat moss," she adds.
Shibani stresses the importance of choosing the right plants too. There should be an appropriate mix of flowering plants, ground cover and shrubs for your terrace garden. "For terraces which do not have adequate shelter from the sun, one should opt for low-maintenance gardens without heat-sensitive plants," she shares. According to her if the roof slab can withstand the weight; one can even opt for medium-sized tropical trees, such as the Ashoka tree.
It is also important to plan the seating and other aesthetic elements. Incorporate seating in appropriate places to enjoy your terrace garden to the fullest. Here, the choice of material is all important, since seaters on terrace gardens are exposed to the elements of nature throughout the day. For warm and humid Indian climates, Shibani recommends dressed stone seats, as they remain cool for the greater part of the day. "For places with cooler climates, one can opt for seats made from materials like acacia wood," she states.
"The current trend in outdoor seating is to go for movable furniture made from all-weather materials," says Noyona and adds, "One can choose from a wide variety of commercially available tables, chairs and swings that are specially treated to withstand the elements."
Along with seating, garden ornaments and decorative elements can be used to lend an aesthetic touch to terrace gardens. "One can opt for ornaments like bird baths, stone urns and bird feeders," says Noyona. Water ponds and fountains can also be installed to create a pleasing ambience in your terrace garden.
When it comes to outdoor lighting, Noyona says that LED lights are a popular option. Other viable options for terrace gardens are solar-powered lights. These have solar panels built into their fixtures. "The advantage of solar powered lights is that they do not require wiring and are movable," Noyona explains and adds, "Moreover, all pathways would require low, inset lighting. One can opt for footpath lights and mushroom fittings. Carved granite light fixtures are also in vogue."
Noyona also suggests using up- lighting techniques, where lights are installed at ground level and used to illuminate objects from below. "Focused up-lighting for shrubs and trees can be used to create a fairytale-like feel in terrace gardens," she shares.
Prioritizing maintenance and after care is a crucial aspect before planning all terrace gardens. A full-fledged terrace garden will need an irrigation system for regular maintenance. For a small garden, a simple sprinkler system would do. For larger gardens, Noyona recommends a combination of a drip and a sprinkler system. "Pump systems that can be activated from a convenient location within the house will simplify the maintenance process," she says.
One should ideally plan for easy access points to the terrace, so that daily care and watering is not an issue. Other tips for planning a low-maintenance garden are to avoid planting too many plants or lawn grasses that require a lot of watering and mowing.
Terrace gardens have many practical benefits too. A terrace or roof garden can help regulate the heat in the building, lowering indoor temperatures.
Terrace gardens can act as great insulators for your building during different seasons. They can provide sound insulation too. A terrace or roof garden can help regulate the heat in the building thereby lowering indoor temperature. "Moreover your terrace garden can also act as a habitat for certain birds and animals and can help to reduce your overall carbon footprint," sums Shibani.
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