Often times people that live in crowded urban areas don’t have lots of space for gardens. One of the best solutions if you want to garden in an urban area is to start a roof top garden. These gardens can have a few unique challenges compared to regular gardens. If you have a flat roof though a roof top garden can be a great way to get some more green into your life. The following is some practical advice that can help guide you to start your own roof top garden.
Weight:
One of the first things you want to think about when starting a roof top garden is the weight of your garden. Wet soil is relatively heavy and in winter months if you have snow on top of this it may cause some structural damage to your roof. It’s fine to have some plant beds on the roof but be aware that it’s probably not the best idea to start a whole plantation on your roof as it isn’t structurally designed to handle that.
Safety:
Always keep in mind while working in your rooftop garden that you are on a roof. It’s very important for safety reasons that you don’t knock over tools and such off of the roof onto people below. It can also be very windy on the roof at times so make sure at the end of the day to store away your tools or tie them down so they don’t get blown off of the roof. Some light fencing around the top of your roof can also help with safety.
Soil quality:
A big factor in making sure your roof top garden is a success is to make sure that you have the right soil. Depending on what you are growing you can mix and match different elements to balance out a perfect soil mixture for your plants. It’s also very beneficial to add compost or mulch to your garden every so often to add more nutrients to the soil.
Plant containers:
It’s best to plant your roof top plants in lightweight plastic containers that allow for drainage. Underneath the plastic containers be sure to put down a tarp or some other protective material to prevent damage to your roof and to prevent the plant roots from burrowing into your roof.
Watering system:
The best way to water your plants is to build a drip system for your rooftop garden. This way you don’t always have to water your plants by hand. During the summer months it is particularly important to remember to water your plants as it can become very hot on top of the roof. It is generally recommended that you water your roof top plants in the early morning or evening.
Having a roof top garden can be an amazingly rewarding experience. Whether you want to grow vegetables to add to your meals, some beautiful flowers, or just create a relaxing atmosphere a roof top garden is a great choice for those without yards.
