Starting Terrace Garden in India
Here, today in this article you are going to know about how to start terrace gardening in India and about following about terrace gardening.
- Introduction to Starting Terrace Gardening.
- Advantages or Benefits of Starting Terrace Garden.
- Disadvantages of Starting Terrace Garden.
- Terrace Gardening Ideas in India.
- Terrace Gardening Tips.
- Terrace Garden Setup Cost.
- How to Build a Terrace Garden.
- Terrace Garden Construction.
- Terrace Vegetable Garden.
- Terrace Garden Ideas for Beginners.
Introduction to Starting Terrace Garden
Gardening is the practice of growing plants and it is also a great hobby. Terrace garden is also known as roof garden, it is a garden that grows vegetables, fruits or flower on the roof of buildings, terrace, so also called as a roof garden. If you don’t have any space around your house for growing plants, just think of terrace gardening. Terrace gardening is an amazing idea. And the terrace is the best place for getting a good quality of sunlight, air, and water.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Terrace Garden in India
Terrace gardening gives you the best experience of growing fruits and vegetables. Just you need to give some time for plants. Apart from this terrace garden helps from absorbing heat. It is very easy to maintain. And you can grow all types of vegetables and fruits. It is not very much expensive. The most important thing in terrace gardening is your time; if you give more time to your plants then they grow very healthy. And care for your plants is more important. Terrace garden has become very much famous in metropolitan cities now a day as there is not enough space on the ground to set up a garden.
Advantages or Benefits of Starting Terrace Garden
1) Terrace gardening Prevents Soil Erosion and Makes Efficient Use of Water-
Terrace gardening can solve the matter of soil erosion and therefore the problem of water runoff. As an example, if you have got a graded lawn that slopes to the rood which regularly sends dirt and water into the gutter system, a terrace will naturally retain that water on flat planes instead. In that way, you can save the drainage system from flooding by using a hill. This is often an honest thing since some municipalities are writing legislature removing away government liability for flood damage to homes caused by sewage backups. The more new homes that are built on green spaces, the more sewage backups will become a daily thing.
2) Terrace gardening Creates Natural Steps & a Flat Space-
If you have got a sloped lawn, you recognize how difficult it can be to use it for play or gardening. With the addition of some compost or earth, a terrace can add quite a few extra square feet for those purposes. The chances are endless. What would you be doing with more flat, available space on your lawn? Would you plant a vegetable garden? Put up a play structure for your kids? Maybe put during a koi pond with a slight waterfall?
3) Terrace gardening Creates Attractive Multi-level Landscape Opportunities-
Even if you don’t have a hill, many smaller terraces can generate enough height differences to play different sizes, colors, and shapes of plants off of each other in ways. The material you decide to strengthen your wall can heighten the whole look of your garden: stone, cedar, brick – they’re all slightly different and infinitely customizable.
4) It reduces the indoor temperature by 6- 8 degrees and can reduce air conditioning costs.
5) It reduces overall heat absorption of buildings and insulates the building against heat and cold.
6) Terrace garden is a convenience of safe, pesticide-free, healthy, and fresh vegetables.
7) Terrace garden is conducive to a routine of clean air, being close to nature, and physical exercise.
8) Terrace gardening increases the amount of oxygen in the air.
9) Terrace gardening reduces sound pollution.
10) Act as a habitat for city-weary birds.
Disadvantages of Starting Terrace Garden
- Terrace gardening has disadvantages when compared with the advantages, the disadvantages are some. Some are listed below;
- If the terrace has not waterproofed properly before setting up the terrace garden then there may be a chance of leaking the roof.
- During rainfall, the water may stagnant in between the plants, if there is no proper slope provided in the terrace for the flow of water.
- When compared to ground level the wind speed will be high on the terrace, hence plants need proper protection to prevent them from getting damaged.
- When there will be a shedding of dry leaves, frequent maintenance and cleaning might be required.
- There are high chances of pests and insects to be present in the terrace garden which might require frequent attention.
Ideas for Starting Terrace Garden in India
For making your terrace garden beautiful. Here some lists of ideas are mentioned below;
- Pick tall plants
If you have a large terrace, picking a tall plant is good that gives a good look to your terrace.
- Avoid parapet wall
Instead of a parapet wall use a transparent glass wall that gives a vibrant look to your terrace garden.
- Place conifer plants in a row
They are very versatile and attractive plants. And they need very little maintenance.
- Make a vertical garden
If you have a small place, a vertical garden idea is best. There are many experiments you can by vertical gardening.
- Be sure of using 2 to 3 colors
While designing your terrace garden, be sure of the colors you choose. Containers, walls, and other things should be in the ratio of 2 to 3 colors.
- Use many varieties of plants
You can plant different types of vegetables, flowers, and fruits.
- Choose a perfect flooring
Flooring matters very much. So, choose the suitable flooring.
- Choose the right furniture
If you want to spend some time with your family members on the terrace. Then you need to place the required type of furniture.
- Decorate with wall art
This might may a unique style.
Tips for Starting Terrace Gardening
- If you want to grow organic vegetables in your garden. Avoid spraying chemicals and pesticides into it. You can also go for fruit-bearing trees such as banana and guava on your terrace garden to be organic.
- In case if you have very little soil for terrace gardening, you can plant flowers like sedums or alpines. These flowers can even grow in less soil.
- Be sure of using plastic containers, they are lighter and hold better moisture than terracotta.
- Be sure of waterproofing the surface of the terrace. It will protect your home from any leakage.
- Avoid watering the plants in rains. And if there is excessive rain for a few days, the plant may die.
- Another important thing is sunlight. Four to six hours of direct sunlight is required for plants at the terrace. To grow vegetables, arrange more sunlight for them.
- Don’t keep plants too close to each other because they will compete for nutrition.
Terrace Garden Setup Cost in India
If you choose 150 sq. ft. it might cost Rs.100-150/feet. So, the total cost would around Rs.20, 000.
Here’s a step-by-setup guide for set upping a terrace garden
- Plan the layout
You have 2 ways to set up a terrace garden they are
-you can cover the entire surface of the terrace with soil to convert it into a lawn.
-you can put even plant containers and grow plants in them.
During summer, plants don’t need more sunlight, for this reason, you can select a shady region.
- Select the plant
Better start with something simple. If you want to grow vegetables start with which grows fast and which don’t require much effort.
Generally, fiber rooted plants are mostly recommended.
If you have pillars, you can grow climbers.
- Waterproofing
To do waterproofing or water resistance there are many waterproofing products are available. It should cover with an insulation layer that protects waterproofing.
- Soil preparation
According to the plants you desire to grow, the soil must be selected. Best to arrange highly fertile with right moisture and minerals soil. Check the pH of the soil. Check the portion of vermicomposting used in the soil. Better to buy from any nursery.
- Container or pots
You can use a variety of pots or containers of your own choice. You can use cement pots, earthen pots, grow bags, hanging pots, etc. you can choose them in different sizes, shapes, and colors to decorate your terrace garden.
- Seeds collection
Check the quality of seeds before buying them. Buy them nearby stores or use the seeds of vegetables you buy.
- Watering equipment
Buy the watering can or kettle. Water them frequently. Twice a day.
- Fertilizers required
Spray pesticides and liquid fertilizer for instant and healthy growth.
How to Build a Terrace Garden in India
These are the things to be considered before starting a terrace garden in India
- Prepare your slab 100% waterproof
If you are ready to do it yourself, then use a thick tarpaulin sheet or a drainage mat as a waterproofing agent for your terrace. Leakage free terrace will be a very long-lasting benefit not only to the house below the terrace but also to the entire building structure as well. Once it is ready, cover the terrace with a beautiful garden as well.
- Design The Layout for Starting Terrace Garden
After completion of the above-mentioned points – waterproofing – layout design (on paper) becomes the main priority. Once you draw the terrace garden design on paper, many changes are possible with none quite physical labor. Work towards the utmost utilization of the available space. In comparison with a balcony garden, there’s more available space but not just like the normal garden. If you are feeling the daylight is extremely bright, cover your terrace with bamboos. Once it is completed, you will get an idea of the number of plant containers required, investment, and effective space required for utilization, etc. Manage the terrace space in such a fashion that you simply can place one hammock, alongside all the plants!
- Select the Appropriate Plant Containers for Starting Terrace Garden
Different types of pots like cement pots, clay pots, earthen pots, specially designed pots are available within the market. Garden boxes or raised beds are one among them, which is a superb choice to grow plants and flowers. Not only do these raised beds offer excellent drainage, avoids erosion and compaction (hard) but also doesn’t allow snails or slugs to enter the plant soil. Also, these beds are wide long in comparison with pots. Troughs and trellis is a superb option for creepers and vines.
Hanging pots can give the garden appearance well by planting decorative flowering plants. Ultraviolet (UV) grow bags also can be used for tomatoes or salads. Other available containers are often old boxes, plastic bottles, or crates. Usually, plastic start cracking with a prolonging exposure of sunlight and heat. If you’re using such junk items, pierce a little hole at rock bottom, which can remove excessive water.
- Type of Soil and Fertilizer to Use
The perfect soil mix corresponds to vermicomposting, regular soil, and sand within the uniform proportion. Soil type depends on the plants. Fill within the pots with the specified soil mix consistent with the plants you would like to grow. You’ll get this premix in any of the nurseries, but they charge very high. Instead, purchase all the ingredients separately and blend them yourself. A well-nourished soil assures the healthy & sturdy growth of the plant.
One important point to recollect is after the rains, most of the nutrients are washed away. Hence replenishment of those nutrients is advisable. Never attempt to choose a chemically nursed soil. Not only does it kill harmful bacteria and worms, but also useful microbes and worms get eliminated.
- Extra Precautions Required To Set Up A Terrace Garden
- Shelterbelt: just in case of high-velocity winds, these windbreak’s act as an absolute protection to your terrace plants. Though it’s not a compulsory requirement, it is often thought upon when the terrace garden is fully operational.
Seeds: don’t compromise on the standard of seeds and soil nutrients. Not only the local nurseries are often the simplest source of seeds, but even regular consumption can fetch a number of the essential seeds (cucumber, lemon, etc.) with hardly any effort.
- Watering the plants: counting on the wants, water the plants once or twice during a day. This may make sure the healthy growth of plants.
Enough sunlight: Study the shadowed areas of the garden. This may help to place the plants as per their natural conditional requirements.
Reprocessed containers: Using eco-friendly containers like coconut shells, bamboo baskets, broken boxes, plastic bottles, etc. that will add a natural look to the terrace garden.
If you’re getting to cover the whole terrace with soil, sow those plants which may flourish in it.
- Soil Pest Management: Plants are the most source of food for various pests like bugs, aphids, and ants. Not all of those are often handled with one pest control. Various other methods are required to eliminate such unwarranted irritants.
Additional Protection: Once the plants bear fruits or flowers, creatures like rats and squirrels get attracted. Encompass the plants with nylon wire nettings.
In case if you miss this: Growing Organic Herbs In Greenhouse.
Suitable Plants for Starting Terrace Garden
Best vegetables to grow on the terrace
- Radish- small size container is enough for radish.
- Bitter guard- 5gallons, 1plant.
- Snack guard- use circular grow bag with a 16inch of depth.
- Bottle guard- 5gallons.
- Beans- 10gallons
- Beets-3 gallons.
- Broccoli- 10 gallons.
- Cabbage- 2gallons.
- Carrots- 5gallons.
- Cauliflower- 5gallons.
- Corn- 15gallons
- Cucumber-5gallons.
- Eggplant-5gallons.
- Garlic-5gallons.
- Leeks-5gallons.
- Lettuce-large container.
- Okra-10gallons.
- Peppers-3gallons.
- Potatoes-need 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep container.
- Pumpkins-5gallons.
- Tomatoes-10gallons.
- Turnips-15 to 20 gallons.
Best herbs to grow on the terrace
- Parsley-1gallon, 6 to 7 diameter.
- Chive- 1 gallon.
- Basil- 2 gallons.
- Rosemary-1 gallon.
- Fennel- 1 gallon.
- Sage- 1 gallon.
- Mint- 1 gallon.
- Dill- 1 gallon.
- Oregano- 1 gallon.
Best flowers to grow on the terrace
- Creeping rose- 4 to 5 gallons.
- Lavender-1gallon.
- Marigold-1 gallon.
- Begonias- medium size container.
- Pansy-1 gallon.