Planting a Rooftop Garden? Perks and Pointers

A rooftop garden is a romantic idea—and one that you can make come true all on your own. Here are two perks and two pointers to consider when planning a rooftop garden.

Perks

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Rooftop gardens are incredibly efficient. Roofs normally absorb a lot of heat and then disperse it through the building, but a garden will absorb the heat and replace it with cooler air which can reduce your cooling bills in the summer.

Rooftop gardens also reduce the rate and volume of rain runoff, and absorb carbon monoxide, keeping the air cleaner. Planting a rooftop garden is good for your wallet and good for the planet.

Get Easy Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

The other great thing about planting a rooftop garden is that it gives you easy access to the freshest produce money can buy. If you plant your own fruits and vegetables, you don’t have to make a trip to the store every time you need a healthy snack.

Planting your own food also means you know exactly where it has been. You can control the chemicals it is exposed to, and you know it hasn’t been damaged in shipping or stored for months. A rooftop garden will make eating fruits and vegetables easier and even healthier.

Pointers

Consider the Structure of Your Roof

Rooftop gardens are fun, but they do present some challenges that traditional gardens don’t. One of the first things you need to consider when planting a rooftop garden is the structural capacity of your roof. Soil is surprisingly dense and heavy, so you need to make sure your roof can handle the weight. Figure out where the building’s support columns are and put the heaviest planters in those areas.

Account for Increased Exposure

Remember that everything will be a little more intense up on the roof—particularly the wind and the heat. The increased height means higher temperatures and crazier wind. Choose sturdy plants by looking for leaves that are thick with hairy or waxy surfaces; this makes it easier for them to withstand the wind, but it also reduces water loss.

Another way to protect your plants from the wind is to add a windbreak of sturdier plants like sunflowers or hedges around the more delicate vegetation. You can also use mulch to protect your soil. Winter mulching insulates your soil and seeds from the harsh cold temperatures while using mulch in the growing season enriches your soil and protects it from the heat.

Another consequence of increased sun exposure is that water evaporates more quickly, so unless you want to water everything at least twice a day, install a drip irrigation system. This will provide your plants with a steady supply of moisture even when the sun is high.

A rooftop garden will enrich your life and even add value to your home. Keep these perks and pointers in mind when prepping your garden and you can enjoy it for years to come.

Author Byline

Michael David is a freelance blogger who writes about a variety of topics including home improvement and gardening. He learned more about mulching from Bear Slashing.