HERBS

Herbs like Aloe vera, mint, rosemary, oregano, basil and coriander make for a green yet useful garden.

A BIRD FRIENDLY GARDEN

• PLANT TUBULAR FLOWERS that produce nectar;blue and red flowers are especially popular with the birds.
• USE PLANTS THAT ARE NATIVE to your area as they are most likely to lure indigenous wildlife ;use varieties that bloom at different times of the year so there are always some good options.
• PROVIDE NESTING BOXES hung 2.5 to 3 m off the ground, facing east, for morning light.
• PLANT TREES for food and shelter;oaks produce acorns for food, conifers are especially good for nesting sites.
• PLANT SHRUBS and grasses that offer berries or seeds.
• USE BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS IN YOUR FEEDER and birds will flock to it.
• MAKE SHALLOW WATER READILY AVAILABLE IN THE FORM OF A HANGING OR STANDING BIRDBATH.

ROOFTOP GARDEN

• Benefits of a rooftop garden are reduced energy use, reduced heat effect, reduced storm water runoff, better air quality, increased green space and enhanced property value.
• The combined plant and soil layers on the roof provide excellent insulation.
• A green roof is a green space created by adding layers of growing medium and plants on top of a traditional roofing system.
• A rooftop garden includes :

1. Plants, often specifically selected for particular applications.
2. Growing medium , specifically engineered, which may include soil.
3. Filter cloth /material to contain the roots and the growing medium, while allowing for water penetration.
4. A specialised drainage layer, sometimes with built in water reservoirs.
5. Waterproofing membrane, sometimes with an integral root repellent.
6. Roof structure , with traditional insulation, either above or below.

• The first and most important step is waterproofing of roof to avoid any risk of leakages.
• Secondly the terrace must be strengthened, so that it can take the weight of all the earth and plants planted on it.
• METHODOLOGY :

1. Mark the area : The terrace slab can either be sunk in the identified area by about a foot and a half to two feet, the roof slab can remain as it is and one can have a garden, which is stepped up by a few steps.This is done in order to take care of the several layers of filling that go in below the garden cover.
2. Strengthening of slab : A structural engineer should be consulted to guide about the extra strengthening of the slab which will be required in this particular area of the roof slab. Waterproofing of the slab is done in order to prevent seepage's to the floor below. It is better to do a chemical based waterproofing instead of a membrane based one. After the waterproofing, the final layer of concreting is done.
3. Drainage :Once the slab is strengthened and waterproofed , the drainage section is laid over the slab with perforated pipes.Next comes the layer of aggregates with gravel, brickbats and sand.A filter fabric follows this, which is basically a thick sheet on which a stone grid is laid and then a net spread on it.This is done to hold the earth in place when it is laid and also to ensure that the draining system is not clogged by silt, thus preventing draining and soil erosion.
4. Soil or manure :The layer of earth or soil mixed with manure will be about 6 or 9 inches deep.
5. Plants :Plants should be chosen to avoid any structural damage to roof slab.Plants requiring less water and with shallow or short roots should be chosen.
6. Build wind breaks :The wind could snap trees and tear up plantings.Arrangements must be made in the form of fences and other barriers. Winds constantly dry out the soil.Pergolas, lattice fences and wood panels can be erected to provide shade but still allow air and sun to enter.

GARDENING BASICS

FOCAL POINT :

Your garden will respond in kind if you are aware of what plants need ad provide the proper essentials for a good beginning.
Using nutritious soil, flowers and shrubs in the right locations and proper fertilizing methods will make gardening chores much easier.

IN THE LAP OF NATURE

Five mantras of gardening :

• Choose plants known to be reliable and problem free for your area and which would not outgrow the space you are working with.

• Reduce the size of your lawn , or eliminate it entirely.

• Prepare the soil well before planing, so that the plants get a strong start.

• Mulch to reduce weeds and conserve soil moisture.

• Install an automatic watering system , eg a drip line.

Find out about easy care trees, shrubs and of course the right methodology for planting the right varieties of trees. A common mistake is to choose trees that look just right on planting day, then rapidly outgrow their space. Unlike interior design, which looks best on the day it is installed, landscape design should look best, about five years later.

Crotans and Durante look attractive, but get burnt in the summer sun. so move them to a shady place.

One should look for compact varieties of many well known plants such as spirea, spruce and holly. Bird's nest spruce and dwarf serbian spruce are two low maintenance plants, as they grow slowly and do not require pruning. Japanese holly, Korean boxwood and dwarf japanese garden snipers are also low maintenance plants.

One must regularly check the moisture levels in the garden.

Place pots containing water in the garden to balance the moisture level.

The use of fertilizers is not advisable, but the use of dehydrated globules is a good option. These are easily available in the market and when soaked in water, absorb high amount of moisture. However, these granules have to be changed after every three months.