Terrace or rooftop gardens are not only decorative but also have several benefits. They help in temperature control, provide natural habitats for birds and can also be incorporated with edible gardens/ herb gardens and fruit bearing trees. A terrace garden can be created in a variety of designs and styles in sync with one’s lifestyle preferences. But like most things, terrace gardens need special care during the hot and extreme summer season.
As the plants are directly in the sunlight, they tend to wither if proper measures are not taken during the dry months.
The soil medium and mix should be in a proper ratio so that moisture is retained and the plants don’t dry out. Also, coco-peat/vermi compost and organic bio-fertilisers will enhance the plants’ growth and also help retain moisture. It is also important to have proper drainage that will help in the growth of plants and moisture retention.
The soil and growing medium for terrace gardens should be in the proper ratio to reduce weight. The terrace roof should also have a proper slope for excess water to drain easily. Ideally, the roof should have the structural capacity to bear the load of the garden and various other elements; 25 kg per square feet is the ideal dead load for a terrace garden.
The type of plants used should be of hardy varieties and drought tolerant during the extreme hot months. Plants with fibrous roots are ideal as they are light in weight and do not damage the roof. Some of the best ones are temple trees also known as Plumeria, Golden bamboo, Buddha belly, Bougainvillea etc.
