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Regular-article-logo Wednesday, 30 April 2025

Terrace bloom

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SHILPI SAMPAD Published 22.01.11, 12:00 AM

Bhubaneswar, Jan 21: People in the city seem to be breathing new life into their homes with plants, with decreasing spaces in the city.

The concept of terrace gardens, which gives a private outdoor green space and an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, is becoming hugely popular with the urbanites.

“When we moved into our new house in the city, I was disappointed to find no garden space. But being a plant lover, I ensured there was some space for greenery. I converted the huge terrace space into a garden, and a part of it for seating. This serves as a great place to rejuvenate my inner self,” said Swarna Misra, a social worker.

Misra started sprucing up the terrace by introducing a large number of flower plants and gradually moved on to sowing a variety of spinach and fruits.

By planting green chillies, lemons or even brinjals and tomatoes, one can also have necessary ingredients at hand.

“While cooking if I suddenly realise I don’t have coriander or mint leaves, I just climb the stairs and get it from my own garden. Similarly, I have planted aloe vera that aids in skin and hair care,” she said. However, unlike other type of gardening, terrace gardens need more planning. The roof has to be sloppy, with a proper drainage system and strong enough to bear the weight of the pots and plants.

Selection of plants for the rooftop is an important area as they would be exposed to direct sunlight and windy weather. Plants with tap roots should be avoided as they tend to grow through the building, thereby creating cracks and causing leakage.

Apart from utility crops such as vegetables and a couple of blossoming fruit plants, a large chunk of the roof should be left for ornamental plants.

Some of the plants that are generally preferred for terraces are aster, calendula, daisy, dianthus, marigold, pansy, dahlia, rose, tuberose, bougainvillaea, china rose, jasmine, Ashoka tree and bottle brush .

A variety of climbers, cactii and succulents are also making their way into this league. One can also bring in the concept of a water garden with landscaping on the terrace.

Planting lilies and keeping goldfish or other small fish in the water with colourful pebbles scattered all around can beautify this space. Similarly, a shady structure to take care of delicate, shade-loving plants or hanging pots can be appealing.

Maintaining a terrace garden is not an easy task and great care must be taken to ensure the plants do not wilt due to less watering or rot due to excessive watering.

Since soil dries out much faster on the roof, the plants, excluding cactii and succulents, should be watered every now and then. Regular pruning to check excessive growth and weeding of plants is essential to keep the garden free from pests and diseases.

Other than the visual impact, terrace gardens also help in absorbing dust and pollutants in the air as well as keeping the building relatively cooler.

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