Rooftop Gardening Tips

What is a rooftop garden?

Many believe living in an urban area means that you cannot grow your own fruits and vegetables. With space a such a premium, many would-be-gardeners are looking up and getting creative with their growing locations. A rooftop could be their answer. Rooftop gardens allow urban dwellers to grow much of their own food as well as provides a serene oasis in the city.

Advantages of a rooftop garden

The advantages of rooftop gardens are numerous. As people are more aware of their food choices, buying local fruits and vegetables is a popular choice. Rooftop gardens allow people living in an urban environment the option to grow their own food. Beyond food cultivation, rooftop gardens provide habitat for wildlife, recreational opportunities, and building beautification. They even provide architectural benefits such as such as temperature control. Plants do not absorb heat in the same why a traditional rooftop would therefore reducing heating and lower energy consumption.

Types of rooftop gardens

From a container garden to a green roof, rooftop gardens vary from simple and easy to elaborate and complex. Many rooftop gardeners place a few pots out to grow a small variety of vegetables and blooming plants. These container gardens are easy to manage and maintain. Larger buildings hold entire green roofs with park areas. These green roofs, also known as living roofs, feature partially or completely covered spaces with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproof surface.

Making a rooftop garden

Regardless of the type of rooftop garden you want to create, there are a few key points to remember.

Be as lightweight as possible. Using the lightest soil and containers reduces the structural strain on the building.

Incorporate windbreaks into your design. A rooftop is far windier than ground level. Installing a trellis or other lattice work breaks the flow of wind without stopping it completely.

Think about your water source. Lifting heavy buckets of water to your roof is not a pleasant task. Be sure to design your rooftop garden as close to water access as possible.

Tips for starting a rooftop garden

Obtain permission: Before starting a rooftop garden it is important to gain the permission of the building owner.

Is the structure safe? Rooftop gardens can add a great deal of weight to a roof. Be sure to determine if the roof is structurally sound enough to handle a garden.

Location selection: Choose a location that is easy to access and has water nearby.

Plant selection: Often times a rooftop does not have a great deal of variance of sunlight and heat. When selecting plants for your rooftop garden, take their needed sun exposure into consideration.

Rooftop gardens are gaining in popularity as people are more concerned with the environment and want to connect with nature more frequently. Seen in cities all across the world this is a trend in gardening that will not be going away anytime soon. Rooftop gardens are an ideal space for an urban gardener. With a little planning, you can have your own urban oasis.