# Green Roofs Planted Urban Gardens Of Future

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/12/green-roof-planted-is-urban-garden-future/
- Published: 2016-12-24T15:48:12-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Well green roofs planted are a great thing for urban areas. For urban areas are 
known for their convenience, not their green spaces. [Living in a city](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/green-living-in-the-inner-city/)
generally means trading wide open spaces for walkability. However, that trade-off
comes with a price. I mean without space, gardening doesn’t seem like a possibility
for a lot of people. When your yard is confined to a tiny concrete patio or balcony.
So then, what can you do?

## Why Not? It’s Wasted Space Otherwise

The answer may lie in green roofs. For the most part, the flat roofs of city buildings
are essentially wasted space. A properly outfitted, planted, and maintained green
roof can be effectively used [to combat hunger](https://www.waterplex.com.au/news/can-urban-agriculture-end-world-hunger/%20/h/)
and possibly even slow climate change.

[⌊Green roof⌉⌊Green roof⌉[

Source: Flickr

### **Creating a Green Roof**

As tempting as they might sound, creating and maintaining a green roof is more than
just putting down some soil and commencing planting. Soil and water are extremely
heavy. Therefore, many roofs may not be structurally sound enough to support them.
Waterproofing and drainage can also become an issue. Especially for old, sunken,
poorly-sealed roofs. It’s vitally important to level the surface too. Most importantly
to keep water from pooling. I mean ir stagnating, and contributing to leaks or mold
growth.

#### **Planning the Layout**

With your roof level and fully open to the sky, you can plan your layout. All based
on what will be easiest for you to maintain. Have an idea of how large each plants
will get at maturity. Then to avoid crowding and shadowing. Avoid grouping plants
with different needs together. I mean for example, plants that require a lot of 
fertilizer with those that prefer poor soil.

#### **Preparing the Soil**

[[

Image Credit: Flickr

For a green roof, you may actually want to skip soil. One of the main things to 
consider is the degree of evaporation most roofs deal with. Organic compost typically
retains water better than soil does. I mean some rooftop gardeners find that their
plants do best in pure compost. If you plan to grow plants that require well-drained
soil, use organic compost for soil augmentation.

Since drainage is also a factor, there must be a drainage layer and waterproof membrane
between the soil and the roof itself. Landscaping fabric will help keep the growing
medium from filtering down into the drainage layer. The growing medium sits atop
the landscaping fabric. Then an additional layer of mulch above that can help protect
roots. Also deter pests, and reduce evaporation.

#### **Watering**

To save water, consider adopting some xeriscaping principles. Rely on [natural](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/03/hybrid-car-vehicle-11-reasons-purchase-2022/)
rainfall as much as possible. Also, group plants together based on their water needs.
If space, weight, and pollution allow, consider installing a rain barrel to capture
rainfall for later use. If that isn’t an option, a hose spigot can be a lifesaver.
Water is heavy, and carrying bucket after bucket up to a roof to water vegetables
may soon prove to be more trouble than it’s worth.

#### **Choosing the Right Plants**

The [best plants for](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/12/best-plants-for-not-so-friendly-looking-apartments/)
a green roof love the sun and don’t mind drought. You’ll avoid excess water weight
on your roof, and your plants won’t burn and wilt under the hot sun. Rhubarb, Swiss
chard, sweet potato, eggplant, okra, mustard greens, peppers, chickpeas, and lima
beans are some drought-tolerant plants that may do well on a roof. Some plants function
as “companion plants” in gardens, reducing disease and pest exposure and encouraging
growth. For example, aromatic herbs function as pest-repellent. Calcium-depleting
plants like broccoli should be planted near plants that don’t require as much, like
beets.

 Source: Project Verts

#### Conclusion 

A lot of publications treat green roofs as a fad, but that couldn’t be further from
reality. Rooftop gardens produce [food for urban](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/11/how-urban-food-hubs-are-addressing-food-deserts/)
communities, reduce people’s dependence on unsustainable produce, sequester carbon
dioxide, and help reduce urban heat problems. While gardening has long been the 
purview of rural and suburban communities, urban [green roofs may be the sustainability wave](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/12/green-tech-wave-israels-startup-ecosystem-in-2024/)
of the future.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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