Rooftop Gardening: Superb Way Of Greening The City

Rooftop Gardening | Rooftop Garden | Roof Garden | Types of rooftop gardening | Rooftop Gardening: Superb Way Of Greening The City

A previous couple of decades have seen a radical change in technology. Thousands of latest motor vehicles are being built. A thousand vehicles travel around the city. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide has increased tons.

Forests need to have a minimum of 25% of the entire land of a country to maintain the balance of the environment. Needless to say, most of the forests in the mega-city are far short of their demand.

To overcome this situation, citizens are collecting vegetables and fruits on their roofs due to the lack of land in the city. The number of roof gardens is increasing which also contributes to the environment and climate.

Also, the amount of open land in the world for urbanization and population has started to decrease. Because of this the weather is getting extreme, ozone levels are declining and air pollution is increasing, cities are losing their natural green appearance. Thus, cities are becoming unsuitable for living.

What is the Rooftop Garden?

The name “rooftop garden” acknowledges its meaning very well. Roof gardens are green spaces that people build on the roofs of their homes or on the roofs of industrial and commercial buildings. The garden design differs with the type of building.

The National Research Council of Canada stated that “If urban dwellers adopt rooftop gardening widely, the temperature of the urban heat islands reduces. Thus, the problems associated with heat and smog will reduce”.

In addition to the environmental benefits, a roof garden can greatly help a family. If we plant a variety of vegetables and fruits, it can significantly reduce our daily food expenditure. Moreover, a well-planned and properly maintained garden can easily be a great source of income.

Types of rooftop gardening

Depending on the structure of the houses & roof design, there are two types of roof garden.  

1. Extensive rooftop garden: this is for the lightweight plant where a thin layer of soil is used. It can be placed on the stairs or roof panels.
2. Intensive rooftop garden: this is for the heavyweight plant where a thick layer of soil used. It should be placed in a big place.

Characteristics of garden soil

To make a green roof the soil must have the following criteria:

• The soil must have permeability and retention capacity.
• The soil must have the presence of basic nutrients for the roof plants.
• For vegetable garden soil must contain required chemical, physical, and biological properties.

Roof garden plants selection

The garden equally has advantages and disadvantages as it is above the ground. On the roof, there is good air circulation which helps to reduce the powdery germs like black spots of roses, tree bee mixture in flower attacks. On the other hand, heavy air removes moisture from the leaf surface so plant leaves such as ferns and Japanese maple can burn in the air.

Choose roof garden plants having these criteria:

1. Plants that contain taproots reserve moisture in their tissues of root.
2. The succulent plant grows well in containers and their tissues absorb moisture for drought.
3. Small leaves of Evergreen trees or shrubs can lose moisture in dry seasons, and their waxy layer of protection can save them from heavy wind.

Keep this in mind you can choose below plants for your gardening

1. Vegetables: If you want to make a vegetable garden on the roof, you need to be more careful. Because vegetables need more care than herbs. Initially start the rooftop farming with tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, etc. Eggplant, ladies’ fingers, pepper (red or green). But all you need is to spend at least 1-2 hours every 2 or 3 days a week disciplining, pruning, watering, and fertilizing.
2. Flowers:  Flowers enhance the beauty of the house. Some exotic flowers such as tulip bulbs, hyacinths, or impressive primroses. In summer, you can plant lotus, marigold, petunias, pansy, and begonia or a variety of hibiscus.
3. Aromatic Herbs: one of the most effective garden ideas is to transform a living roof into an herbal garden. Most conventional culinary plants grow in dry, rocky places and make them ideal candidates for green roofs. The varieties listed here are low-growing, wide-ground cover; Other key features for living roof carpets. Thyme or oregano may be a suitable choice.

Things should be taken into account before starting

1. Planning is very important for roof garden design. You should aware of the place where you want to start gardening. Plan whether you’re going to install containers. Also, how many containers can be fit in for container gardening.
2.  Consult with the building engineer if the building can handle the weight of the garden.
3. Availability of tools, soil, and materials that is essential for green roof.
4. The garden plants on your roof will need well-drained soil, especially around heavy rains. It is essential to consider waterproofing to avoid damage to your roof surface to drain excess water from your green roof garden.
5. Under sunlight exposure, containers dry out very quickly mainly in the summer season. So, an automatic watering system must be set up on the rooftop to reduce the time for watering.

Benefits of a rooftop gardening

As the concept of roof garden design fairly new and adopted there are many benefits not only for the individuals but also for the city.

1. If you’ve got a vertical garden, you’ll spend some moment in your garden. Also, you can escape from the crowded city by visiting the garden. It is also proven that daily engagement with nature or in green spaces helps you to keep fit, healthy, and happy.
2. A rooftop vegetable garden can be the primary means of urban farming. In rooftop gardens, you can grow your vegetables for free and enjoy organic and chemical-free vegetables. It can be a great source of our local healthy food.
3. Due to scarcity of the expected amount of forests air getting polluted, the ozone layer getting affected. In these circumstances, an urban garden can be a blessing. Roof gardens contribute to the reduction and filtering of 85% of pollutant air particles and gases.
4. Roof garden plants are the best way to use rainwater. Rainwater is free and the pH level is very good, you can use direct rain or store it in the dry season. Excess water can return to the environment through transport and evaporation after use. In addition, a roof garden can reduce the water flow in the building.
5. Rooftop gardening is the best way to use unused space and bring nature to your home. Now almost all skyscrapers are narrow size, so many of them look like a plain and boring building.
6. A rooftop garden can also enhance the aesthetic value and efficiency of the building, which in the future increases its potential value.

The Bottom Line

Terrace gardening /rooftop gardening is a great idea because it enhances the beauty of a city’s complexion. This can be a great place where you can work and hang out with your friends or family members. Furthermore, a rooftop garden can be the primary means of urban farming.

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