For urban people with limited access to a balcony, yard, or outdoor area, a rooftop garden is the best option. Growing plants on rooftops is easier with different methods. In urban areas rooftop garden is the most typical area. A container garden on the rooftop is an easy way with pots, soil, and plants. We have this researched base article on the advantages to rooftop gardening in detailed.
What is a Rooftop Garden?
This is not surprising. A garden that is situated on a roof is precisely what is meant to be a rooftop garden. This can occasionally refer to shrubs and flowers or even a garden of fruits, vegetables, or herbs.
Planting gardens at top of building rooftops has been a practice for ages, dating back to Mesopotamian ziggurats circa 600 BC. Even while the technique is not new, as urbanization spreads around the world, more and more people are searching for methods to maximize space, lessen their ecological footprint, and enhance their houses with natural beauty.
For any reason, there are several advantages to rooftop gardening.
The impact of your garden is determined by the size of your rooftop area. Regardless of its size, maintaining a rooftop garden may be a therapeutic way to minimize your environmental impact.
Minimizing Energy Use
Insolation is one of the main factors contributing to heat creation in cities. Roads and buildings radiate heat after absorbing it which causes raising the temperature. As a result, more energy is required to cool down the nearby residences and commercial buildings. In actuality, heating and cooling account for 16% of all home energy use in the United States.
Because plants naturally transpire, they actually absorb heat and prevent the surrounding air temperature from increasing. According to research from Cardiff University, green roofs can reduce peak temperatures by up to 11°C.
In other words, there is a less need for cooling if the outside temperature drops, which lowers the need for energy.
Climate Change Adaptation
Apart from the fact that cities radiate and absorb heat, climate change implies that there will always be more heat to absorb. In the coming decades, an increasing number of people will live in extremely hot climates.
This implies that a worsening in summertime temperatures and related urban heat islands is associated. A key component of the strategy to tackle urban heat zones may be whatever we can do to disperse heat. One of the best strategies to counteract the urban heat island effect is to install green roofs.
Wildlife Habitats
By adding some greenery to urban concrete jungles, green roofs also benefit animals. They are ideal for drawing birds, squirrels, and other animals to create a healthy eco-friendly ecosystem, even if they cannot completely replace natural green space.
Different ecosystems will be supported by each green roof, mostly depending on the kind of vegetable that is used. An investigation conducted in Switzerland on 11 green rooftops found an astonishing amount of 172 different species.
Improved Air Quality
Globally, air pollution is a major problem for metropolitan regions. According to estimates from the World Health Organization, seven million people die from air pollution each year. As one might expect, cities—especially those with bigger populations, like London, Los Angeles, Manila, New York City, and Paris—have higher levels of air pollution.
How to Begin Gardening On Rooftops
Space Requirement
Rooftop gardens come in two variations: fully planted gardens and raised bed/container gardening. Because fully planted gardens need to cover the roof with soil and frequently need an engineer’s assessment to ensure that the roof can handle the weight of so much soil and water, they are usually more difficult to establish and maintain.
Container gardens and raised beds are easier. To complete the task, simply select suitable garden pots, fill them with soil, and voila! Starting with a small container might be a fantastic way to get your feet wet with your new activity, as most of us aren’t expert gardeners.
Cost to Begin a Rooftop Gardening
The cost of your rooftop garden will be determined by its proposed size. Building a completely planted garden to cover a huge roof might cost thousands of dollars in terms of infrastructure and irrigation.
Even on a tight budget, though, a more modest garden with a few pots and plants may be made. Don’t be afraid to be inventive; containers and soil will often be the most expensive goods needed to get started. Making your own containers is simple, and if you’re not handy, you may recycle buckets and other everyday materials to make planters.
Summary
The rooftop garden is a way to avoid the concrete jungle in the urban area. It provides you with a green area while living in an urban life. If you have planned to start your rooftop garden, be picky to get the right plant and study the maintenance process perfectly. After everything is set, you can enjoy the endless advantages to rooftop gardening.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What needs to consider before starting a rooftop garden?
Ans: Before making any heavy garden on the rooftop, consulting with an engineer is appreciated. For any lighter garden like pots with some plants and vegetables may not be a concern.
Are there any heavy garden tools needed for rooftop gardening?
Ans: No, it only needs small or garden hand tools. You can easily collect them at a minimum cost.
Can I grow heavy plants on the roof?
Ans: If you have some experience of growing heavy plant then can try on rooftop. But make sure the weight can be carried by the roof and building structure