Turn Your Roof Into an Oasis

Is your green thumb aching because you live in New York and don’t have a yard? Consider creating a garden on the roof.

Garden Design

One tried and true rule of gardening is to grow what you like to eat, so make a list. You will need to water your garden, so you will probably need to research roof tank fill pumps NYC. You will also need a place to store tools and soil amendments.

Type of Garden

Do you want raised bed full of fresh vegetables for daily dinners, or are you more interested in a relaxing green space? You can do a combination of both. Construct raised beds and fill them with soil and compost to plant a mixture of vegetables, herbs and flowers. You can even grow dwarf fruit trees in large containers.

Important Details

Once you have a plan, you will need to get permission from the building’s owner to start the project, and you will need to talk to an engineer to make sure the structure will support the extra weight. Is there a service elevator you can use or are you going to need to carry materials up the stairs?

Containers vs. Raised Beds

Roofs don’t usually have soil, so you need to provide that and you will need some way to contain it. If you opt for containers, you will be able to move them around and change the design of your garden over time. Raised beds are a great way to grow vegetables and small fruits, but once installed they need to stay in place.

Extras

Your garden will need water. A tank that can be filled with a pump is a good choice. Designate a storage area or build a small shed to store shovels, rakes and trowels.

Just because you live in a city apartment doesn’t mean you can’t garden. Think vertical and head for the roof!