JOIN USTerrace gardens are fast-gaining popularity because of the limited space in cities. Sarah Thomas gives us tips to turn our roof into our very own Garden of Eden.
Imagine your own private space filled with greenery and fresh air, a place you could run to when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Your very own secret hide out where you could relax and just breathe, taking in the beauty around and appreciating mother nature for everything she has to give. As lovely and impossible to achieve as it sounds, you will be surprised to know that it is indeed possible to own such a space, in your very own balcony, on your very own terrace. Terrace gardens are becoming really popular because of the limited space in cities.
And the fact that you could have it all right on your roofs is what adds to the joy of owning a roof garden.
“I was told, growing up, that if I look at something green as soon as I open my eyes, I will have a good day and I've always tried to do so. Plants are therapeutic,” says Sneha Naidu, freelance writer and the proud owner of a 13-year-old terrace garden. Sneha never misses an opportunity to walk through her garden; she says that it is highly de-stressing. She not only owns ornamental plants, but also has a kitchen garden. A kitchen garden is one in which vegetables, herbs and fruits are grown. They can also be used in cooking.
Gardens not only beautify the living space and serve as a hub for leisure activities, but they also have several other advantages. Most people love gardens but are not very sure on how to go about growing one. There are many urban garden space designers you could hire, however, you could design your own roof garden too. Sriram Aravamudan, co-founder of My Sunny Balcony, a well-established garden designing company, says, “If you’re going to do it on your own then there are a few things to be kept in mind. You have to design your garden according to the conditions of your terrace. The choice of your plants will depend on the amount of sunlight your terrace receives; flowering plants and vegetable plants need a lot of sunlight. For shaded terraces, there are shade tolerant plants too like Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) or the Hedera helix (English Ivy).”
Get it right
He also says that it would be extremely essential to contact your contractor and find out how much weight your roof is designed to support. If the surface is weak, light weight containers made of wood and bamboo can be used; and the soil utilised will also differ depending on this factor.
And last but not the least is to check on the drainage and waterproofing of the terrace. You don’t want to have seepage issues later. This is a matter of concern, and, if there are problems like this, redo your waterproofing, or, as Sriram says, you could raise the plants on bricks. This way, servicing the plants is easy.
Sneha, on the other hand, places the plants in containers that collect excess water, which can be later cleared off. She owns nearly 500 plants so servicing can be quite a task. But if you love gardening, the whole process would be quite delightful. Throwing light on how to design the garden, Sriram says, “A ‘U-shaped’ garden is the most ideal one as you can enter from the centre of the U.
And, if you are a novice in gardening, grow simpler plants like spinach, beans or tomatoes.” When asked about using lawns, he cautions that though lawns are his favourite, it’s best if one avoids them as they are difficult to maintain; they take up a lot of water and retain it as well. Why waste a patch that you can grow something on.
Ornamental gardens have become a thing of the past, Sriram observes. Most people opt for kitchen gardens as they can benefit from it too.
TM Mallesh, CEO of an organic farming company, says growing gardens is not rocket science and that anyone can do it. “Because of our lifestyle, there is an increase in diseases. What is of importance is the quality of the food we eat. And this depends on the freshness and the method with which it is grown.” Normally, vegetables are grown in bad conditions with pesticides and fertilisers, and to add to our woes, they are transported in unhygienic conditions. If you have your own kitchen garden, you control what goes into the food you prepare and you know for sure the food you are eating is healthy.
He firmly advises to stay away from pesticides and fertilisers, and use alternatives. Organic manure and non-detergent soap-based solutions can be used to keep pests away. A mixture of garlic, ginger, chilli and onion can be used instead of pesticides. Both Mallesh and Sriram stress on composting and vermin composting for manure. There is no better fertiliser than natural ones that can be made at home. That way no food gets wasted and you give back to the plants what you’ve taken from them. “There’s no sense in using corporation water for irrigation, it is complete wastage. You’d rather start rainwater harvesting for this very purpose. The main aim is to leave as less of a carbon footprint as you can,” opines Sriram.