How Can I Create A Roof Garden On My House?
For years, the idea of having a rooftop is a thing, and building a roof garden is not as complicated as you imagined. Rooftop gardens are environmentally-friendly and very beautiful, and it is a concept that has been around. That’s why most urban homes have it, mainly because of the limited space they have, or perhaps they want a living space outdoors.
How Can I Create A Roof Garden On My House?
Perhaps you’re considering creating a rooftop garden on your own. So, if you’re planning to create a roof garden in your home, then things may really be looking up for you. In this article, you’re going to know everything about how to create a roof garden. This is an ideal way for a gardener to live in an urban place with limited space. It will also make good use of the wasted and unused space you have at home.
Factors to Consider Before Creating a Roof Garden
Yes, the idea of a roof garden is something new and a fun thing to do. But before you would dive into creating one, you should know more about the factors to consider. Below are some of the points you should be mindful of.
Structural Integrity
Since pots and soils are heavy, you need to know first if your roof can hold plants’ load. Considering that the plants will grow big, your roof garden should withstand all this when the time has come. With this, getting a licensed pro will help you determine the load capacity of your rooftop.
Easy Access
You must also figure out how you are going to get your supplies and materials in and out. If you live in the apartment, make sure that you are allowed to use the elevator and carry garden tools and supplies.
Heat and Sun Exposure
If you are shaded with tall buildings of terraces above you, then sun exposure could be an issue. Also, aside from the heat of the sun, there must be ambient heat reflected from your roof surface.
Wind
You should also consider the wind as it can whip down high-rise locations easily. If that’s the case, perhaps you should build walls or fencing.
Privacy
If you’re surrounded by neighbours and buildings and your garden is in full view, then putting for screening is a great help. You can plant evergreens or run vines and let them work as a screening for your garden.
How to Create a Roof Garden?
Once you reviewed the factors to consider before creating a roof garden, then you can now proceed to the step-by-step process of creating one. Check out the procedures to make the most functional roof garden in your house.
Step 1: Preparing Your Roof
First and foremost, you need to check and evaluate the loading capacity of your roof. You may also check your city’s building codes to avoid disobeying the rules. And another preparation is to plan out the win exposures and monitor the sun’s exposure to your building.
Step 2: Preparing and Buying Your Plants
Next is you should go looking for heat and drought-tolerant plants. Perhaps you should buy plants originating from your state or area to withstand the climate. With this, consider those ornamental shrubs and trees, and prevent buying large-leaf plants.
Step 3: Build Your Garden
In building the garden, you should have a hose on your rooftop or something that leads to your rooftop. Adding containers to your plants is a good help to place your seeds. You may also install a trellis to prevent your plants from drying out or getting damaged in harsh weather.
Step 4: Setting Up Your Garden
In decorating your garden, you may add some lightweight furniture, so whenever you feel like hanging out in your roof garden, you will have that comfortable place to stay and make use of the space. Put a centrepiece that will tie your garden together, and choose multifunctional decorations.
Step 5: Finishing
Once you’ve completed the 4 steps, then it’s time you double-check your garden if there’s any lacking. When everything’s set, then you’re finished and enjoy your new garden to plant.
Conclusion
Now that you already know how to create a roof garden with the guidelines discussed in this article, you need to do a few things to make your plants grow. Because living in a city may be a bit challenging, especially if you love plants and the idea and strategy of planting, then using the rooftop space is a big help. The process would be very easy; you just have to outside and plant.
As long as the roof garden will not cause any disturbance to your neighbours and other members of your family, then your hobby must go on. As long as you’re gardening, you don’t have to trouble yourself with everything.
