Planning a Terrace Garden

Nowadays, as the population demographic has shifted from primarily rural to urban, planning a garden seems more of a distant fantasy than a reality for some as the space available in the city or metropolitan areas is rather limited. One can start to feel very disconnected from nature after spending too much time in the surroundings of smog clouds and cell phone tower ‘trees’. To get the feel of some greenery in the city, some urban residents have potted plants on their respective balconies or rooftops.

Why not go all the way and have a full-fledged garden on your roof ? 

While some may scoff in disbelief, having a rooftop garden with soil and luscious lawns is a very viable option. All that is needed is the knowledge of the right techniques to have your very own terrace rooftop garden.

Just imagine after a particularly stressful day at work, to be able to go up to your rooftop and enjoy the serene calming atmosphere of your very own garden.

Another benefit is that plants have the capability to reduce the heat absorption of a building and in effect, reduce the energy consumption too. It can also provide a valuable and productive hobby to keep yourself occupied and your mind off the pressures of life in the city. So let’s get started.

By the way, GreenMyLife offers garden landscaping services in Bangalore and can help you set up terrace gardens at your home or office – just give us a call at 080-33013243 or fill up this contact form 

When you start off with your roof, identify the portion which you intend to transform. Make sure this area is strong enough to support the weight of a garden.

There also needs to be a proper drainage system in place.

Another popular option is to leave half the space as a patio area with a bench for one to sit.

The first step is to do a proper water-proofing treatment, either chemical or covering (chemical is known to be more effective), with a landscaper. Drainage pipes and sheeting is also necessary for effective, thorough drainage of the roof.

Now the top layer of soil needs to be added. A healthy mixture of soil and manure around 7 inches deep can be laid out over the sheeting to give a full soil cover.

Once the soil foundation is done, then it’s time to choose plants and a lawn to give a green feel to the garden. The first thing to make sure of is the varying sun and water requirements of different plants, and layout the garden appropriately. Generally, fibre rooted plants are preferred to deep-rooted ones as the latter may affect the structure of the building.

Once your rooftop garden is in place, then comes the maintenance.

To maintain a pristine rooftop garden, the procedures vary slightly from a regular garden environment. For usual gardens on the ground level, trees and other bushes provide a break from the wind and the sun, while on a rooftop none of these natural barriers are present. Due to this, building any kind of wind break or a sunroof is ideal.

Also, the watering techniques differ, as rainwater runs off the roof and thus appropriate water harvesting methods such as irrigation must be set up using drainage pipes. Roof gardens should be watered as little as possible as water adds extra weight to the roof, so recycling the used water through irrigation is the best method for watering.

Another important part of maintaining a beautiful garden is fertilization. A slow release fertilizer applied a couple of times a year is the optimal method of fertilizing your garden. Compost should also be applied biannually for the best results.

While maintaining your garden, some problems are bound to arise. The most commonly faced problem is that of weeds. You should regularly inspect your garden for any weeds or plant diseases and deal with them immediately.

Also, the blockage of drainage pipes and gutters needs to be addressed once every two months by a professional.

As your garden is on a roof, it is also subject to seeds dropped by birds and other pollinating animals. While most seedlings are a welcome addition to your foliage, a regular monthly inspection is required. For example, if an oak seed falls onto your garden, the bud needs to be removed as there is no way that your roof can handle the weight of an oak tree. In your inspection, make sure to look out for tree seedlings, invasive weeds, and diseased plants and remove them.

Also keep a lookout for some pests and insects that might be nesting in your garden. Make sure to remember that some plants may need to be replanted once every year. Keeping these problems in mind, make sure to maintain and care for your green roof the best you can and enjoy your own private natural getaway right in the heart of the city.

Need more help with terrace garden setup ? Contact us at 080-33013243 – we offer setup and maintenance services for terrace gardens in Bangalore.