How To Design A Terrace Garden

In order to master the art of a well designed terrace garden, it’s important to first understand what actually defines them – so what’s the new trend all about?

Many Australians make the mistake of assuming that a terrace and a balcony are the same types of outdoor structures, but in reality, they have some pretty notable differences. For the unfamiliar, a terrace is an open space that can be attached or detached to a building. In contrast, balconies are small elevated platforms that are affixed to a given room in the house. 

While a terrace can have multiple points of access, a balcony is typically only accessible through a room, meaning that designing a terrace garden requires a great deal more attention when it comes to covering the layout of the outdoor space. Although by no means an easy feat, a well designed terrace garden has the potential to not only improve your own health and wellbeing, but can even add value to your property in the long term. 

A Beginner’s Guide To Mastering Terrace Gardens 

In gardening, a terrace is an element where a raised flat paved or gravelled section overlooks a prospect. While a raised terrace keeps a house dry and provides a transition between the hardscape and the softscape, this design still has the potential to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. 

As one in ten of our nation’s residents now identify as having no access to a backyard, introducing a well designed green space to a unit and townhouse with a small outdoor space is a trend on the rise. When done well, a terrace garden has the potential to double as your very own oasis and an envious outdoor entertainment area – but how exactly do you bring one to life?

Work With The Layout – One common feature of a terrace garden is having stairs or multiple surface levels present. When designing an outdoor area, keep in mind that it’s best to work with the natural landscape instead of fighting it, so use the elevation to your advantage if it’s something your home is already privy to. 

Customisation Is Key – A terrace garden is usually short on space, but adding planters, garden beds and other features that are perfectly designed to work with what you have is a great way to capitalise on the area at your disposal. If your terrace garden lacks floor space, consider going vertical with upright planters and living walls. 

Plant Practically – While a terrace garden is not the space to get creative with a new veggie patch or other experimental designs, plants can still be used as a tool to make the most of the area. Repetition in the use of plant species will ensure cohesion and connection between different zones, and consider adding evergreen varieties to maintain the area year round.

Sunlight – The amount of light that terrace gardens receive is usually limited due to the height and space of the area. It is important to start out by understanding where the sun is coming from and what parts of the day the terrace is receiving most of its sunlight. The difference in morning and afternoon sun will dictate what plants will thrive in your space. 

Aim To Entertain – Keep in mind that outdoor space is a prized possession in smaller dwellings, so it’s worth considering ways to present your terrace garden as an extra room of the house. Additions such as outdoor kitchens, firepits and comfortable lounge style seating will go a long way with ensuring your terrace garden is a multifunctional green space. 

Ultimately, the more you’re able to encourage a self-sufficient and sustainable ecosystem in your terrace garden, the happier your new plants will be. However, sometimes your flora friends may need a little extra help in fending off unwanted invaders, but that doesn’t mean resorting to pesticides that may have negative consequences on the health of your soil, plants, and even local wildlife – so what’s the alternative?

Embrace The Safer Way To Spray

Spending time outside and in the garden is not only good for our overall well being, but it’s also an easy way to start educating yourself on the importance of sustainability. 

If you’re noticing foreign invaders popping up in your garden, a naturally produced weed killer like Bioweed is a safe way to keep them under control. As a non-residual solution, it will break down into the soil in as little as 72 hours and can combat over 200 invasive weed species, making it safe for you, your family, your pets, and your local native wildlife to navigate. 

Bioweed is the brainchild of well established agricultural leader Greenpro, and is backed by over twenty years of research and development. Owned and manufactured in Australia, the primary ingredient of Bioweed is actually sustainably sourced pine oil, and is even approved by NASAA, ACO and APVMA for use around organic farms and food production.

If you’re on the hunt for a natural weed killer, more organic gardening solutions, or simply want to know more about eliminating weeds safely, check out other tips and tricks in our online advice forum, or contact us for any further queries.