Roof Gardening |
Posted: April 28, 2016 |
In urban areas where land is scarce, roof gardening is the only option for folks who love gardening. A roof top garden is the perfect alternative to relish the merits of nature in congested concrete-laden cities and townships. Even vegetables and fruits required for your family can be farmed on your roof top. More on that later but in this article, let us look only into roof gardening. Roof Strength The first thing is to make sure that your terrace can hold enough weight. Not all flat roofs are constructed sturdy enough to withstand the weight of a garden. It is better to consult an architect or structural engineer to assess if your roof can hold the weight of the containers, plants, soil and accessories, before embarking upon gardening. Also, opt for lightweight containers and garden equipment. Selection of Plants You should choose plants and shrubs that grow best in natural sunlight. Annual flowering plants like tulips, primroses (Primula vulgaris) or hyacinths are all good for growing in containers on the terrace. Generally, perennials do not grow well in containers. Even if they do, they require large ones which are not ideal for roof tops. Begonias, hibiscuses and petunias are also good genera for roof tops but they are more suitable for summers or regions with warm climate. Conditions like wind flow, rain fall and humidity should also be considered while selecting the plants. Lightweight Containers You can make use of discarded items such as plastic buckets and bottles and use them as containers. While buying new ones, try to avoid terracotta containers as they are comparatively heavier than other types. As mentioned earlier, this will help reduce the load on the roof. Lightweight fibreglass or resin containers are the best choice, and they are available in large varieties of colours and shapes. Opt for lightweight garden furniture and equipment as well. Watering System Automatic irrigation methods like drip irrigation give best results in roof gardening. Drip irrigation is the method of watering plants by dripping water slowly and continuously at the root. This method considerably saves water as well as fertilizers. But it is best to water the plants manually and most gardeners enjoy watering the plants themselves. In summers, roof gardens need to be watered at least twice a day. Soil Type Choosing the right type of soil is important as growth of the plants are mainly governed by the natural nutrients contained in the soil. The soil must be mixed with coco peat and vermicompost in the right proportion depending upon the nutrient content of the soil and the type of plants you intend to grow. It is a good idea to get the soil tested at a certified lab so that you know if any synthetic fertilizers are necessary. As long as possible, stick to organic soil nutrients only as the prime purpose of the roof garden is to live in harmony with nature. Apart from the above mentioned things, factors such as wind flow should be considered while setting up the roof garden. Most terraces in urban environments are windier and depending on your location’s geography, decide the kind of shielding, if it is required.
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