Rooftop gardening may sound fresh to some people, but it is nothing new. Individuals living in the cities have been tacking plants on roofs for many years. Also, green roofs and roofs covered by soil and rooftop garden plants have been around for a long time.
Despite the huge land, gardeners own, they tend to look for more space where they can grow some plants. That leads to an increase in rooftop gardens of all kinds. As a result of this, there are many rooftop gardeners who plant their gardens daily.
If you’re one of them, then there are plenty of things you need to have and consider before planting your garden. The following are some of the things you must have on your list:
A Permit
Before planting your rooftop garden, you need to have a permit from the authorities. It helps you prove that your roof is a perfect place to grow some plants. Even if it is for personal use, you must have a permit to enjoy some rooftop garden benefits. So before you can start planting your rooftop garden, ensure that you have a permit.
Water Supply
When you are about to plant your rooftop garden, you must have a good supply of water. In most cases, you will need to water your growing plants once a day, especially during the summer. Walking down and up the stairs with the watering cans is impractical meaning that you must consider installing a suitable irrigation system like drip irrigation.
Drainage
Drainage is another key component you must have on your list before planting your favorite trees and shrubs on your rooftop garden. It’s essential to consider the waterproofing to avoid damaging your roof or the surface below. Also, your rooftop garden plants will need well-drained soil, especially dunning the heavy rains. It means that you must consider how you will drain the excess water from your green roof garden.
Sunlight
Sunlight is an essential factor when it comes to growing any kind of plant. So, ensure you have an excellent idea of the shade variations as well as seasonal and daily sun exposure. Also, sunlight dictates the type of plants, veggies, flowers, and herbs you can grow on your roof gardens.
Typically, most rooftops get direct sunlight, so if that’s the case, then you’ve plenty of options to select from. However, if you are dealing with a building that blocks the sun to the rooftop, container plants and veggies like lettuce, kale, and spinach will be excellent.
Plants
Plants are another thing you must have on your list before planting your rooftop garden. You need to identify almost all problems with rooftop gardens before you can choose the right plants. Ensure that your plants will get six or more hours of sunlight for them to be healthy. Also, keep in mind that roofs with dull colors heat up faster than those with bright ones. So always consider the type of plants on your list when planning your rooftop garden design.
Conclusion
Growing plants on your rooftop is an excellent idea since it offers the opportunity to make the city look prettier. It is one of the best places where you can work and hang out with your friends or family members. So if you’re planning to plant your rooftop garden today, be sure to check the above things.
