Garden Care & Maintenance

Watering

Watering your rooftop garden plants is pretty similar to watering plants in your regular garden. The only difference is that you need a proper drainage system on your rooftop garden for the excess water to flow out. You can water your plants with the help of a watering can or a hose. 

Watering your plants in the morning is a great way to keep them hydrated and support the photosynthesis process. The soil in rooftop gardens is shallow and gets dried up quickly. Therefore, watering your plants every day will keep your plants hydrated and healthy.

Bugs & Pests

No matter how good care you take care of your plants, pests will find their way back to feast on your plants. You can use natural pesticides to keep your plants safe and all the bugs at bay. It is very simple to prepare natural pesticides by preparing a mixture of soap water, neem oil, and baking soda. 

Spray this magical mixture often on your plants and watch them grow without unwanted bugs flying around them.

Birds & UV Rays

Bugs are not the only ones that can harm your plants. Even birds and harmful sun rays can harm your plants. Keep your plants safe by covering them with a wire mesh or a green net.

Mulching

Mulching your plants is a great way to keep them healthy and hydrated. The mulch will help you keep all the pests away from your plants and retain the moisture for longer periods. You can use hay, shredded wood, or fruit peels as mulch.

Heat Proofing Terrace Garden

Sometimes even sun-loving plants can’t bear excessive heat and need a little extra care during the hottest months of the year, especially in the northern parts of India. Taking measures like watering your plants regularly, providing shade using nets, sufficient nutrient supply can help your plants in surviving the harsh summer heat.

Pro-Tips For Building Terrace Gardens

These tips will prove to be useful when you think of building your terrace gardens and manage all the downfalls that you might face.

Cost-effective Terrace Gardening

Building a terrace garden from scratch can be a little heavy on your wallet but if you apply these smart tips your wallet will thank you:

• Reuse and repurpose old furniture of your house and turn them into containers for your plants. Old cartons, cardboard boxes, paint boxes, food containers, tables, anything can turn into a container. You don’t have to buy separate containers for growing your plants. Instead, you can decorate the free stuff lying around in your house and use them. This will not only save you money but will also cut down on your waste generation. 
• If you’re planning to go big with your terrace gardening then buy seeds in bulk to reduce the cost. Bulk buying is always a smarter way to cut the cost. If you’re looking out to purchase seeds in bulk for your terrace garden, visit plant Craft and get access to GMO-free heirloom vegetable seeds. 
• Use organic remains like banana peels, coffee grounds, fruit peels, or tea compost to give your plants the nutritional boost instead of using chemical fertilizers. This will not only save the bucks but will also make your food chemical-free.

Prevent Damage To The Building

As we stated before, you need to prepare your rooftop before you start to plant anything to prevent any potential damage. Preparing your rooftop can be a costly affair, you might also need help from an expert. 

The roots of the plants can harm the structure of the building. Therefore, preparing the roof before planting any greens is a crucial part.

Here’s a guide that will help you with all the information you need to prepare your rooftop for terrace gardening.

Drainage System

Having a proper drainage system before building a terrace garden is important. Without a drainage system, the excess water will collect in places and damage your roof. Most of the rooftops have water drainage systems installed while it’s built.

Get The Terrace Garden To Yield More Crop

To get the most out of your rooftop garden, start small. Grow plants that fit into small places like herbs, vegetables like chilies, or microgreens. This way you’ll be able to grow a variety of vegetables in a little space. 

Grow low-maintenance plants that require little efforts like cherry tomatoes, spinach, chilies, or fenugreek to enjoy good yield. Planting short-season crops will also help you make the most of your space and get the most out of your plants.

Terrace Gardening Investment

It only takes a one-time investment to build a terrace garden. Then, it’s just about maintaining the garden. You will need to invest in waterproofing, equipment, containers, seeds, etc. Once you’re set to plant, you’ll need no penny. You’ll get a constant supply of greens and an abundance of satisfaction.

FAQ’s

Should the terrace slab be 100% waterproof?

Waterproofing your terrace is important as you’re going to cover your terrace with soil and heavy pots. This may create dampness in the structure of the building. Getting help from a professional is how you can tackle the situation. 

If you are planning to do it yourself, use a drainage mat thick tarpaulin sheet as a waterproofing agent. A terrace that is free from leakages will ensure a long-term benefit. Once your terrace is ready, you can even cover it with a beautiful lawn.

How should I prepare the layout of my terrace garden?

Preparing a layout/sketch will help you figure out the type of plants, space utilization, and investment requirements. Use the space efficiently, start by marking the areas that are dedicated to plants – big or small.

Make a note of the areas receiving the maximum/minimum amount of sunlight. Cover the areas with too much sunlight with shelters. You can also make a seating arrangement to enjoy nature!

What type of soil and fertilizer to use in my terrace garden?

You can prepare a potting mixture by adding equal amounts of normal soil, vermicompost, and sand. One important thing to note is that after rains, all the important nutrients may wash away from the soil. Replenish your soil every month to keep your plants healthy.

Now that you’re all set with your guide on how to grow a terrace garden, start building one! You will not only be rewarded with tranquility and fresh air but you will also get a regular supply of organic greens every single day.