• Terrace Gardening

Due to hazardous increase in urban population and

continuous migration of people to urban areas the space is not
sufficient to live.
Nearly 82% area at an average is covered with huge concrete
masses i.e. apartments, markets and industries in the city.
The barrier between man and nature has been created.
But by creation of natural green spaces in available small
areas like terrace, rooftops, balconies, the balance between
grey and green can be re-established.
Terraces present wonderful possibilities in the garden.
So no matter how small or large your terrace is to be a part of
nature with your specialized and artistic inputs you can own a
terrace garden on a terrace which you never used even.
• Garden… a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside
for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and
other forms of nature.
• Gardening… is the activity of growing and
maintaining the garden.
• Garden can take any form like…
-Water gardens -Beer garden
-Arboretum -Botanical garden
-Bottle garden -Zoological garden
-Butterfly gardening -Orchard
-Fruit garden -The Chinese (Scholar's) Garden
-Container gardening -Community garden
-A green wall or vertical gardens -Hanging garden
-Japanese gardens -Terrarium
-Terrace gardens -Roof gardens
 Water gardens
– Also known as aquatic gardens, backyard ponds and garden
ponds.
– A man-made feature, combining a pool with aquatic plants and
often ornamental fish.
– Fixed items such as rocks, fountains, statuary, waterfalls and
watercourses can be combined with the pool to add visual
interest and integration with the local landscape and
environment.
 Beer garden
– Is an open-air area where beverages, (preferably beer), and
prepared food are served.
– Usually attached to a drinking establishment such as a public
houses
 Arboretum
− Is a collection of trees.
− Containing living collections of woody plants intended at least
partly for scientific study.
− An arboretum specialising in growing conifers is known as a
pinetum.
 Botanical garden or botanic garden,
- is an institution holding documented collections of living

plants for the purposes of scientific research,

conservation, display and education.

 Bottle garden
- a container similar to a terrarium in which plants are
grown.
- plants are grown inside the bottle with little or no
exposure to the outside environment

 Zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie

- a facility in which animals are confined within
enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they
may also be bred.
 Butterfly gardening
- aimed at creating an environment that attracts
butterflies, as well as certain moth.
- also often aimed at inviting those butterflies and moths
to lay eggs as well.
 Orchard
- is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs maintained

for food production.

- are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, serving

an aesthetic as well as productive purpose

 Fruit garden
- synonymous with an orchard, although it is set on a
smaller non-commercial scale and
- may emphasize berry shrubs in preference to fruit
trees.
 Chinese (Scholar's) Garden
- a place for solitary or social contemplation of nature.
- are a spiritual shelter for people, a place they could be far
away from their real social lives, and close to the ancient
way
of life, their true selves, and nature.
 Container gardening
- is the practice of growing plants exclusively in containers
instead of planting them in the ground.
 Community garden
- is a single piece of land gardened collectively by a group of
people.
 Green wall
- a wall, either free-standing or part of a building, that is
partially or completely covered with vegetation and, in
some cases, soil or an inorganic growing medium.
- also referred to as living walls, biowalls, or vertical
gardens.
 Hanging garden
- a leisure garden built on a terrace
- are on a balcony, on the roof of a house or on the
terrace of a modern building.
 Japanese gardens
- gardens in traditional Japanese style
- can be found at private homes, in neighbourhood or
city parks, and at historical landmarks such as Buddhist
temples, Shinto shrines and old castles.
 Kitchen garden
- also known as a potager
- is a space separate from the rest of the residential
garden the ornamental plants and lawn areas.
- may serve as the central feature of an ornamental, all-
season landscape
 Rose garden or Rosarium
- a garden or park, often open to the public, in which
roses are grown.
- are frequently used to present and grow various types
of roses.
 Shade gardens
- are gardens planted and grown in areas with little or no

direct sunlight during the day, either under trees or on

the shady sides of buildings.

 Wildlife garden
- is an environment that is attractive to various forms of
wildlife such as birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects,

mammals and so on.

 Terrarium
- plants are grown inside glass cases.
- any kind of container from jam jar to fish tank, made of
either plastic or glass, can be used as terrarium.
TERRACE AND ROOF GARDEN

• Terrace gardening is a type of indoor gardening

where you take care of your indoor plants.
• The terrace garden may be either at ground level,
below ground level, or raised above it.
• A terrace garden can also be a garden which is built
in a series of raised or “terraced” beds against a
hillside
• Roof garden, also called living or planted roofs, are
systems of living plants and vegetation installed on
the roof of an existing or new structure.
 1.Terrace garden on the top of house

• A terrace garden can be established on a terrace, roof,

or patio, usually in a house where there is limited
gardening space.
• These types of terrace gardens are especially popular
in urban areas, and they are sometimes used in
restaurants and other establishments as well.
• Can be ornamental or functional
1.Terrace garden on the top of house
 2.Terrace garden at ground level

• These gardens are on raised surface of ground.

• Height of terrace varies from few centimeters to a feet
above ground level.
• Major portion may be paved with stones or tiles or wood
• Supported by parapets supporting structures.
Terrace garden at ground level
3.Sunken terrace gardening
• Below the ground level
• Requirement of retaining
walls
• Sand or gravel is used as a
base
 Terrace garden on hillside

• Can be used as an
ornamental
landscaping feature
or a source of
crops.
Roof garden… a type of terrace garden on
the top of house

Roof gardening can be:

Intensive roof garden
Extensive roof garden
Intensive Roof garden
• Intensive roofs typically have deeper soils
• better insulation.
• requires more technical expertise to design and install, and
more maintenance once built than extensive types.
Extensive Roof garden
• low weight, low capital cost and minimal maintenance.
• Soils (or growing medium) are very thin.
• They are easier to retrofit onto existing roofs but are not
usually designed for public accessibility. 
Extensive roof
garden
 Roofs for construction

Surface of roof may be flat,

dome shaped, inclined undulated.
Maintenance & Cost of Roof Garden

High

Intensive roof garden

Semi-intensive roof
garden

Extensive roof
Extensive roof garden
garden
Low
Extensive roof garden

Light Weight Heavy

USE OF TERRACE GARDENS IN URBAN
DEVELOPMENT

• Unifying factor
• Ecological balance
• Privacy
• Aesthetics
• Production of Agricultural elements
• Reducing the effect of heat island.
• Runoff water
USES…

• Energy Use
• Pollutant Removal
• Heat Island Effect
• Sound Insulation
• Wildlife Habitat
• Food Production/Amenity
• Longevity/Maintenance
• Building incentives
 USER REQUIREMENT

 PLANNING
look around and decide what area of terrace
garden will occupy?
 SCALE
Scale is a visual relationship of each form to
every other form and to design as a whole.
It is necessary for an appealing scale
relationship between the garden and house.
 PROPORTION
Proportion is harmony of parts to the whole - A large
paved terrace and small lawn can be in proportion, on
another side, the terrace can be small and lawn can be
large.

 SHELTER
- Is required from natural and climatic factors like
scorching heat of sun, wind, rain, temperature etc.
- Wind protection makes physical conditions more
pleasant for those using roof spaces, and prevent tall
and slender plants from being loosened or uprooted.
- Shelter is best provided by perforated or slatted fencing
which should be as high as possible.
 ACCESS
- Access to roof or terrace garden areas may be
required for construction and maintainance and
finally for its use.
- Keeping safety into consideration, the access
should be accordingly planned

 LIGHTING
- Important for their utility and beauty
- Costs may be more but are justified as it
lengthens the hours of use, ie. Not only in
daytime but also at night.
 STRUCTURAL IMPLICATIONS
- Terrace gardens impose extra load on roofs.
- The higher the building the greater the
problems as additional load have to be carried
down through all floor.
- Loads may be :live loads, due to free
pedestrian access and maintenance machinery
loads and dead loads, by paving, soil and
trees.
 WATER PROOFING

Think of some efficient but cost effective treatments for

waterproofing and protection of terrace itself before going
in for terrace gardens .
1. Using some powder or semi liquid type integral
waterproofing compound to reduce the permeability
of concrete of the roof.
2. Using some powder or semi liquid type integral
waterproofing compound for mortar while doing the
plastering over the roof concrete with the idea of
having an impermeable plaster.
3. Laying of tar felt over the roof and parapet walls.
4. Coating the roof and parapet walls with epoxy resin to
avoid water seepage.
PREPARATION OF FLOOR AND INSULATION

Plant material
Layer 6 Soils and Substrates

Layer 5 Drainage layer (20mm)

Moisture Blanket
Layer 4 (cardboards/old blankets)

Layer 3 Filter Sheet

Roof membrane
Layer 2 (Pond liner/300 μ damp proof polythene)

Waterproof layer
Layer 1 (LDPE 0.02mm)

Roof construction

DIFFERENT LAYERS ON ROOF FLOOR FOR CONSTRUCTING ROOF GARDEN

MAKING A TERRACE GARDEN STEP BY
STEP

STEP 1 : Make a layout plan

 Go up to your terrace and visualize how
you would want to see it.
 Good garden should have a proper balance of
lawn, shrubs, ground covers and small trees.
 The weight bearing capacity as well as the
overall physical condition of the structure must
be taken into account before the garden is
designed.
STEP 2 : Select the plants
 Plant selected should have a fibrous root system.
 Should not have a tap root system, as they have the
potential of growing through the terrace and endangering
the life of the building.

STEP 3: Prepare the growing media

 The growing media should be such that it will not add undue weight
to the building.
 It should have the properties like
– Conserve moisture for long time
– Medium should hold the plant strongly
– Light in weight
– Maintain nutrient status
 Soil rite or peat moss is a very light and excellent growing medium
for terrace garden.
 However because of its cost it is best to prepare a growing medium
with a mixture of garden earth, manure and soil rite or peat moss.
STEP 4: Lay brickbats
 First, spread a layer of brick bats (totally burnt
bricks) of approx. 2" - 4" evenly on the terrace.
 The brick bats are used to facilitate the drainage
of water.
 Only the totally burnt bricks have to be used

STEP 5: Spread HDPE net

 Spread HDPE net (wire mesh) over the bricks
,prevents the garden earth and manure from
getting into the gaps in between the brick bats.
STEP 6 : Construct drainage chambers
 Construct drainage chambers at various places on the
terrace with pipes leading to the main drainage holes.
 This is done to prevent water from stagnating on the
surface of the garden in case of heavy rain otherwise it
will stagnate and cause a great damage to your building
 Chambers should be constructed in such a manner that
when the final garden is done it will get covered by the
lawn and not be noticeable by everyone

STEP 7: Spread the growing media and plant

 Spread a mixture of garden earth, manure and soil rite or
peat moss to the desired level.
 Carry out the planting as per your layout
SELECTION OF PLANTS IS BASED UPON
 Space and the spread of foliage.
 Soil depths:
Lawns - 6 to 8 inches.
Shrubs - 12 to 24 inches.
Tress - 36 to120 inches.
 The root system of a plant should be shallow rooted rather than
vigorous type.
 Hardy plants, capable of withstanding windy conditions at terrace
level should be chosen.
 Shape, colour and texture of foliage should compliment the design
features and not clash with them; huge plants look uncomfortable in

small spaces & tend to dwarf adjoining smaller plants

 Shade loving plants are preferable in case of scarce sunlight.
 Plants should be suitable to a pot culture in flowerbeds on a terrace.
 Fibrous root system
 SUGGESTED PLANTS FOR TERRACE
LANDSCAPE
1) Climbers - philodendron Scandens, Ficus Pumila and Hedra Helix.

2) Foliage plants - Begonia Acutifolia, Pileas and Cordyline terminalis (fire brand).

3) Ground covers - Monsters Pertusa, Gynura, and Sansvieria Trifasciata(snake),

Ficus Elastica (rubber plant), Monstera, Setcreasea Purpurea and Helxine Soleirolii.
(Baby tears).

4) Ferns- Nephrolepsis exalta & Maidenhair

5) Lawns - Dhoop or Hariyali, Crabgrass, Mexican grass, Burmese grass.

6) Hedges - Dedonia, Clerendendron, Acalypha, Lantana Camera, Duranta, Coleus

and Ponsettiat Euphorbia.

7) Trailers - Wanderin Jew (Zebrina). Spider plant (chiorophytum Comosum).

8) Flowering plants - Begonia, chrysanthemum, Impatiens Scherezranium,Hibiscus

Rosa Sinesis, Anturuim Scherezranium and Impatiens Petersiana.
HARDSCAPE MATERIAL USED IN TERRACE
GARDEN

• It adds warm tones and distinct lines to an area

otherwise dominated by wilder sensibilities.

• It includes:
• Fountain
• Pool
• Lights
• Chairs
• Benches
• Swings
• Statues
• Hanging Baskets
• Pots
 LIMITATIONS OF TERRACE GARDENING

• High cost of maintenance

• Difficulty of transport of loam, manure,etc.
• Difficulty of transport of heavy containers.
• Requirement of more labour.
• Special shade arrangement for the plants during the
summer or winter.
• Major limitation is the depth of the soil.
 Drainage is also good and hence water has to be
replenished constantly by frequent watering.
• The plant food in the soil leaches off more rapidly and is
to be made good by more frequent replacement
 Noise transmission may prove a problem especially
where ball games are to be played on a roof.
 MAINTENANCE OF ROOF GARDEN

• Provide a deep container

• If erecting trellis or screens ensure that any fixings are well supported.
• Use of walls as fences for screening

• Placement of heavy containers on load bearing walls

• Chairs and benches be supported on hard surface

• Railings should be painted

• Protection to plants from adverse wheather conditions

• Lamp posts, lights be properly covered

• Avoid choking of drainage holes

• prefer mechanical control over insects and diseases

 In short, Roof garden is

• Maximum meaningful use of minimum

available space.
• Though small, productive and pretty.
• Easy to maintain compared to large
gardens.
• An economical way of balancing green
space with uncontrolled growth of cement
structure in urban areas.
 REFERENCES
Books:
 Arora JS Introductory ornamental horticulture. The terrace
garden.chap:26 pp: 220-22
 Weddle AE techniques of landscape architecture pp:138-39
 George Acquaah. Horticulture principles and practices (2nd ed.)
growing house plants pp367-73.
 Trivedi P.Pratibha.1996.Home Gardening. ICAR,New Delhi
Inter net source:
 Greenroofs.com
 ELT Easy Green GreenRoof Systems
 Green Roof Plants
 Roofscapes
 Green Roof Solutions
 Green Roof Tops
 BBC Gardening