Rooftop Gardening Blog @rooftopgardening-blog - Tumblr Blog

A Little Planning

I've heard so many friends that live in Chicago that they don't have enough room for plants outside on their terraces. Well, if it is possible to walk on your terrace, turn around again, then there is space available for flowers, a shrub, or tree. Rooftop gardening or terrace gardening requires a little planning and understanding the different conditions that will exist during the seasons as well as the little mirco climates that will occur in different locations.

For example, I live on a 4th story building with a rooftop garden and a terrace garden outside my master bedroom. There was no protection from the wind at that level and many plants would dry out very quickly in the summer time due to the heat and wind. In the winter, the cold winds would impact the container pots. I would have to make a decision to move the pots to a different location or protect the pots with covering. The post will cover several of the major issues impacting a garden. Step out in your space and take a look around.

Sunlight

Determine what actual sunlight will hit your space. My terrace garden at the very beginning receive direct sunlight all day long. I new condo complex was built next door and I no longer received the afternoon sunlight. I needed to alter the plant makeup after the building was built. Also, take a look at the sunlight during the seasons. There can be buildings and trees that can impact the amount of light that you will receive.

Indirect Light

I had a terrace garden in downtown Chicago. There was a tremendous amount of indirect sunlight that reflected off the buildings. I didn't plant full sun plants but focused on indirect light plant.

Winds

This was my biggest challenge with my gardens. I had to plan for planters that were heavier than normal. The wind could possibly pick up the planters and move them across the garden. Also, I also had to insulate the planter so that the heat of the sun didn't dry out the roots and the winter winds didn't freeze the roots. Finally, I bolted my tree planters into the decking. The tree never moved especially during the Chicago micro wind bursts.

Roof Overhead

Many people install awnings on their terraces and roof top gardens creating wonder shady areas. Again, watch what direct sunlight hits your planting area and plan accordingly.

Elevator/Staircase

My Chicago condo doesn't have an elevator. I had to bring up all of the planters, soil, and plants up 4 flights of stairs. I purchased smaller plants and trees and allowed them to grow. I was easier to plant and maintain. Also, you need to make sure the size of plant can make it into the service elevator. You may have to bend the tree to fit in the elevator.

My suggestion is to go outside and understand what will happen throughout the year. Some plants will work well in the garden and others will not. I recommend documenting what has been working for you and let me know if you have any questions.

#rooftop garden

Vertical Gardening

I have been wanting to create a vertical garden on my walls of the staircase that lead to the roof and I decided to install one of the systems on the the south side the structure to see how if will do. I had started the project late in the fall and most of the plants did come back this year. I did have to fill in a few places and leave it grow horizontally for a month so that roots would be able to form. My goal is to place several of them on the south side of the building and fill in one wall on the west side of the building.

Happy 4th of July!

Paul

#vertical gardening #Rooftop #Gardening #rooftop gardening

Creating Rooftop Gardening Spaces

As the weather is getting warmer and we start the design process for creating a rooftop garden, spend some time getting inspired by other rooftop garden spaces and look at different ways you plan to use the space. If you rooftop garden is large enough, try to create different rooms or vignettes and break up the space. I've divided my rooftop garden into several sections. I have a "Living Room" with a couch, chair and table under a pergola, a "Dining Room" with a table, 4 chairs, and canopy, a "Relaxation Space" with a lounge chair and table next to my fountain and trees, a greenhouse for my vegetables, and a greenhouse for my plants. Each of these spaces are not screened off but I've strategically located plants to define areas. They about using the space for a Jacuzzi, a cutting garden, or even place for storage.

I look for focal points within the rooftop garden. My exit to the rooftop is in the middle of the building. As you exit to the right, the focal point is the large pergola. You are drawn to that seating area. I tried to link link the inside of my house to the rooftop garden space. I am more of a minimalist gardener and have chosen cooler colors for my plants. It is extremely hot on the roof in the middle of the summer and I prefer the cooler colors of blue, pink and purple and avoid the reds and the yellows. I also have kept the patterns the same with beige and lighter colors which are the same inside my home as well.

Start drawing a plan and make sure it is to scale. Look at the proportions of the overall space and let your imagination flow.

#rooftop gardening #Creating Spaces #Creating Outdoor Spaces

Spring Time Window Box

In Chicago, our springtime temperatures can be quite varied. In 2011, Chicagoland temperatures have been extremely cold. I decided last weekend to remove my winter display and begin planting a spring time window box.

I am fortunate to obtain excellent quality plants at our local Home Depot. This year I picked up tulips, daffodils, pansies, hyacinths, and snow drops. All of the plants were just coming through the ground so that my display will last much longer and I can watch them grow. Here are a couple of my tips for creating an amazing display.

1) I removed 1/2 of the soil that was still in the container. I was amazed this year that soil had frozen clumps. Usually by April 1st, the soil is much easier to work with.

2) Use a high quality soil. I prefer moisture control.

3) Over plant the window box. I only keep the Spring Time box for 6 weeks. In Chicago, the last day we can have a frost is by May 15th. I begin my summer planting by then.

4) Remember to fertilize. I use bloomer mix especially for the pansies.

5) Dead your flowers often. This will additional flowers to grow during this short season.

I am looking forward to working on my rooftop garden and will keep you informed about the progress that is being made. Happy Spring!

#Window Box #Spring #Gardening #Home Depot

Spring time in Chicago (60+ Degrees in February)

It is time to take advantage of the warmer weather and begin working in the garden again. It was great to be outside yesterday and today and look at garden again. There was so much snow on the roof that I wasn't able to get around. I still have a couple of snow drifts still remaining, but I was able to start the spring cleaning process.

I have several grasses that do very well on my rooftop. One always needs to be cut down each year and the other should be able to maintain it's green color for the entire season. The lesson learned for me is that all of the grasses need to be cut down to the base prior to March 1st. I end up having a micro climate on my rooftop and several of the plants begin to grow in the beginning of March. Yesterday was a perfect day to cut down the grasses.

Today, I am planning to remove the leaves that remain in the containers and begin checking on any damage to the plants. A little effort in the early part of the season will go along way to improving your look to your garden.

Happy Spring!

#Rooftop #Gardening #Grasses #Garden Maintenance

A Greenhouse on Every Roof

I just came across the following article and thought you would be interested in reading it. I am in complete agreement with having a greenhouse on top your roof. Mine is on the 5th floor and has done very well and especially during the bad weather (i.e. the recent blizzard).

A Greenhouse on Every Roof

BY LESLIE BERLIANT

Yossi Asyag has a vision for the world: “We want people to eat fresh, organic produce without a carbon footprint.” The 45-year-old Israeli-born Montecito businessman has spent years working in commercial growing and seed distribution in Israel and the United States, and is now turning to Israeli growing and watering technology to develop cost-effective greenhouses to grow fresh produce year round in urban environments. He calls it the EverGreenHouse Growing System.

Made of clear polycarbonate developed in Israel, the greenhouses maximize production through vertical growing techniques and an automatic gutter irrigation system with ground coconut shells and fiber instead of soil, because the mix requires less water and holds oxygen better. The technology is based on state-of-the-art commercial growing practices, downsized to fit residential and urban settings.

Asyag estimates that he can generate 10 times the amount of food grown using traditional vegetable gardening methods in a fraction of the space. “If we planted the same produce outside, we would need four to five times the space,” he said.

Asyag’s greenhouses start at approximately $2,600 for an eight-by-eight foot growing system, which includes seeds, automatic irrigation, fertilizing systems, pest control and all the other required materials. He believes the system can help low-income families and students on a budget eat better, earn money and create hyper-local urban farms. He envisions people growing food not just for their own families, but also to sell to neighbors as well as local grocery stores and restaurants. Asyag will also provide guidance to urban farmers who want to market their produce to local businesses.

“If we can provide strawberries from rooftops in Los Angeles,” Asyag said, and ensure “that they are organic and have come from within five or 10 miles, how can strawberries in the field compete with that?” He said that once the produce starts ripening, the greenhouses are like a vending machine of fresh fruits and vegetables, with new crops available every day. And no prior gardening or farming experience is necessary to succeed. Asyag offers a service whereby a member of his team makes weekly visits to swap out plants once they have finished producing and check the system to make sure it is functioning properly.

In the last six months, Asyag has built and sold 20 of the greenhouse units. One customer in Dallas intends to use several of them to create his own minifarm. Asyag said this kind of farming is incredibly eco-friendly, too. “No tractors, no gasoline, no shipping and low water usage,” he said. The produce is all organic, and instead of pesticides, natural neem oil is used for pest control.

Rony Cohen, an Internet marketer, is working with Asyag to market the greenhouses in Los Angeles. He’s also a happy customer. “Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always wanted to be a farmer,” Cohen said. “I’m not a scientist or mathematician, but in my rough estimates, we can easily grow food for this entire city, within the city … 1,000 buildings, just the roofs, can grow food for 12 million people.”

If this estimate is accurate, Asyag’s greenhouses could help alleviate a problem plaguing Los Angeles — poor access to fresh produce in low-income neighborhoods, known as food deserts. It could also reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions associated with our current food system.

“I think we can fix the world with this,” Asyag said.

#Greenhouse #Rooftop #Gardening #urban #farming

Blizzard 2011 - Chicago

On February 1st and 2nd, Chicago had it's 3rd largest snowfall on record. The challenge this blizzard presented were the 30 to 50 mile an hour winds. I have a Rion Greenhouse on my roof with 2 Dayton electric heaters. During the snow storm, the power went out for several hours. I was fortunate that I purchased in the fall a Mr. Heater BIG Buddy LP heater. It took me only a few minutes to put together and get it started. The heater kept the greenhouse at a temperature of 70 degrees. I am amazed at the power of the heater and highly recommend it!

#Mr. Heater Big Buddy #Rion Greenhouse #Heaters

Orchids In Bloom

It is a cool day in November (45 degrees) and I was able to work on my rooftop garden. I am blessed to have a greenhouse on my roof. Several of my orchids bloomed this week and it is refreshing to see new life after we had our cold spell this past week. I am not ready for winter but it is always great to get away in my rooftop greenhouse

#rooftop #Gardening #Orchids #Greenhouse

Results of Using Fish Emulsion as a Fertilizer

It's August 1st and I am just admiring my rooftop garden this year. I've been amazed with the results and I wanted to share some results using the Fish Emulsion fertilizer. I was looking for a more responsible way to fertilize my garden and I've been quite pleased with the results. My vines just exploded this year. This is year 3 for the vines and they are now covering most of the walls to the staircase. I disliked the plastic siding and was looking for a way to cover them. I have a very small container but they are doing extremely well.

In addition, my trumpet flowers are just amazing. Again, growing in a pot.

Wooden Container supporting the vines

Trumpet Flower - City of Chicago Lake Front View

Trumpet Flowers

Vines - Spreading quickly in 2010. I had very little growth from 2008 - 2009.

#rooftop gardening #Vines #container #container gardening

6 Easy Steps to Repotting a Tree on a Rooftop Garden

Over the 4th of July weekend, I decided to replant my Red Maple tree that I purchased three years ago. I started with a pot that I purchased from Restoration Hardware. The pot is made of metal and extremely light weight. I was challenged with this pot since the wind would continually blow the tree over. I even bolted the pot to the deck that is on my roof and it still didn't help the situation.

My recommendation is that you only utilize wood planters on the rooftop. I prefer square pots and that is what I used in this project. I picked up this planter at Gethsemane Gardens in Chicago. Here are six easy steps to repotting a tree on a rooftop garden.

1) Pick a large enough wood planter for your rooftop deck. Please keep in mind that the wind is stronger the higher your rooftop garden is located. You will notice that my tree after 3 years was completely pot bound. There was very little soil left in the container.

2) Line you planter with ridged insulation. I recommend 1/2 inch insulation on all sides. Please place holes in the bottom insulation to allow the water to drain. The insulation works both in the winter and summer. The heat on top of my rooftop is intense and can burn the root system.

3) Add peanuts at the bottom of the planter as well. It is challenging bringing up rocks to a 4 story walk-up. The peanuts serve the purpose to allow water to drain properly.

4) Place soil at the bottom of the container and install the tree in the new container. I allowed an 1 inch from the top of the old soil level and the top of the new container. I didn't pull the roots apart since they were so dense. There weren't any roots going around the entire plant.

5) Add soil around the sides of the tree and press the soil firmly into the pot. I added water to make sure the soil compacted properly. I continued adding soil to the sides and the top.

6) I added a few rocks to my container to help weigh down the plant. We had a couple of storms over the past 2 days with high winds and the tree didn't move.

Again, lesson learned: Choose the appropriate container. I prefer wood and insulate so that you tree will last many years. I am hopeful that I will get another 3 years in this new container. I will be looking for a larger container so that I have a wonderful shade tree on my roof. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]

#Container Gardening #Rooftop #Trees #Red Maple #Restoration Hardware #Metal Container #Wood Container

Raised Bed Gardening Using a Grow Camp

I've just started to raise vegetables on my rooftop garden using he Grow Camp. This system has allowed my to have a raised bed garden. I've planted cilantro, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, herbs, and carrots. Over the coming weeks, I will give you more details on how I put this system together as well as some of the challenges I faced during the 1st couple of days... especially carrying 64 quart bags (9) to the top of the roof! Enjoy the pictures and I will provide more updates in the coming weeks.

#vegetables #Grow Camp #Raise Bed #Gardening #Rooftop

It is cooler by the lake...

I woke up this morning and the weather forecast was sunny, warmer weather but it may be cooler by lake Michigan... Well, today was one of those days that it was COLDER by the lake. Today is May 15th, and we can begin planting in the city. We won't have the threat of frost. I began pulling my elephant ears (alocasia) out of my greenhouse and planted them in containers on my roof. Also, I started planting my vegetables in my new raised bed on the roof. I will begin showing a couple of pictures in the next couple of weeks. Anyway, spring planting has finally begun!

#Lake Michigan #Vegtable #Gardening #Rooftop #Spring #alocasia

How To Fertilize Your Evergreens

It's that time of the year!!!

On the 1st of May, I begin fertilizing all of my evergreens on my rooftop. I like to use organic fertilizers to keep my evergreens lush and with an abundant amount of growth. I've learned from Jerry Baker. He has several books and I recommend his backyard secrets. Jerry recommends the following:

1) Fertilize your evergreens with Fish Emulsion - I purchase it at Home Depot and I've included a picture as well. I add ONE tablespoon of fish emulsion to 1 gallon of water. Please note that this stuff doesn't smell great but it is very effective. I don't use it for my indoor plants.

2) Add Epson salts to the top of your soil. This assists in keeping the soil fresh. I purchase Epson salts at the pharmacy.

As you can see, my evergreens are quite healthy and I enjoy the results. You can use Jerry's recommendations on your backyard/front yard evergreens as well!

#Fertilize #Evergreens #Rooftop #Fish Emulsion #Epson Salts #Jerry Baker #Organic Fertilizer #nyc #chicago

Containers - Clay Pots

Azelea - Lakeview, Chicago

Japanese Maple on my rooftop garden

I want to share my experience with several types of pots that I've used on my rooftop garden and today I would like to focus on clay pots. While I was walking around my Lakeview home in Chicago, I saw this azelea (top photograph) that was ready to bloom. I've seen the plant on my daily walks and noticed that the pot has cracked over the winter. The challenge with clay pots in Chicago is that as the ground freezes the earth begins to expand and cracks the pot. In addition, as the plant becomes pot bound, the roots of the plant puts additional pressure on the side of the pot.

I still love the look of a clay pot. I've planted a japanese maple above and I've had it for over 3 years. I take my Japanese Maple in at the end of November in to my service staircase. The temperature never gets below 32 degrees and it is never is being impacted by the wind. I do bring some snow in each month and place it on the top of the plant. This allows me to keep the soil damp by not overly wet. The maple is just budding now and is a key focal point in my garden.

#Container Gardening #Gardening #Rooftop #Japanese Maple #Azelea #Clay Pots

Week #2 GrowPanel 45 - Sreptocarpus bloomed

I am amazed at the results that I am seeing with my plants that have been growing under the GrowPanel 45. My streptocarpus bloomed in less than 2 weeks. I was very surprised to see such quick results. The instructions noted that you remove the plant from under the light and enjoy it. I've replaced it with another blooming plant.

#GrowPanel 45 #Sreptocarpus #Lighting

Growing Vegetables on a Rooftop

By Erin Conroy - Associated Press

NEW YORK — Apartment dwellers, you can still get your hands a little dirty in the name of fresh food.

Tomatoes and carrots can thrive on a rooftop or fire escape just as well as they would in a backyard. And in addition to the benefits of being aesthetically pleasing and offering easy pickings for a fresh salad, a green roof will act as insulation to keep a home warmer in the winter, and absorb sunlight to keep it cooler in the summer.

If you've never been much of a gardener before, fear not, says Justin Hancock, senior garden editor at Better Homes and Gardens magazine. You'll be surprised how simple it is to sprout corn or cabbage.

"Gardening has gotten a bum rap, mostly because people make it seem harder than they need to," Hancock said. "Either that or people think about having to help their grandparents weed the garden and deal with the bugs, the heat and the dirt. But if you're doing this on a rooftop or a balcony, it's not hard at all."

An urban garden can be as sophisticated as a botanical oasis or as simple as a large planter box with a few favorite herbs.

"I would say most vegetables can be grown with general ease," Hancock added. "As long as they get the amount of moisture and light that they need, most will do pretty well for you."

What you'll need

• The bigger the container, the better. Wide-rimmed plastic or terra cotta pots with drainage holes are great if you have limited space, but raised beds and large planter boxes are best. They can be watered less frequently, are less awkward to move around and won't be pushed over by strong winds.

Your plant bed should be at least 8 inches deep and no wider than 5 feet, so that you can tend your garden without having to step into the soil. Building your own is relatively easy using pressure-treated lumber boards that are 6 inches wide and 2 inches thick, stacked one on top of the other. Attach the boards to corner posts using galvanized deck screws.

Dry-stacked field stones are also a good option for a retaining wall.

• Soil. Any garden center will sell healthy loam or bagged topsoil for less than $30 a cubic yard. An added layer of organic material will protect your soil bed and help retain moisture. Commercial mulch can be expensive, but it's easy to make out of lawn clippings, leaves or tree bark.

• Water. If you have access to a spigot, consider a drip irrigation kit, which is affordable and easy to install. The Toro Co. sells a drip starter kit with hose accessories for $8.69.

• Tools. Because the dirt is going to be less than a foot deep, you won't need a long garden hoe or shovel. Still, there are basic tools to use to make gardening less strenuous.

A handheld garden fork, or digging fork, is perfect for breaking up soil. Use an ergonomic garden hand trowel to move small amounts of dirt, and snippers for cutting and light pruning. Any of those tools should be easy to find at a garden center for less than $15.

Remember to disinfect your tools with water and bleach to avoid spreading plant fungus or disease.

• Seedlings. Starting seeds indoors or using transplanted seedlings is a good way to get a head-start. Depending on the plant, seeds and seedlings generally sell for less than a few dollars at a gardening center.

What to plant

Remember the general rule of gardening: Right plant, right place, right time. The environment has to be appropriate. For instance, tomatoes can't survive any type of frost, while lettuce, spinach and other greens like the shade.

Most of the vegetables we eat are shallow-rooted and can grow in compact spaces. Herbs; green onions; radishes; squash; cucumbers; peppers; carrots; and spinach won't care how many stories high they are.

Weaving in some small perennials or ornamental grass will help bring your garden's diverse botany together. They require little water or care, and they continue to grow and give your bed a healthy glow in the winter.

Carol Pollard, a staff gardener in the horticulture department for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden who has a hand in its rooftop gardening program, offers these tips for small plants with short roots:

• Prairie dropseed, or Sporobolus heterolepsis

• Purple lovegrass, or Eragrostis spectabilis

• Little bluestem, or Schizachyrium scoparium

• October skies, or Aster oblongifolius

• Angelina, or Sedum rupestre

• Little lemon, or Solidago

What to do

• Fill your container with soil. The soil bed should be at least 8 inches deep.

• Plant your seeds. If you're new to gardening, it's easier, faster and just as effective to start your germination process indoors in smaller containers, or use transplanted seedlings bought at a gardening center. Move your plants outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.

No two plants are alike, so check the back of the package to help you decide what temperatures are best.

If you're confident enough to start the germination process outside, be sure to scatter the seeds so that your garden doesn't become too crowded. Water is usually only necessary every couple of days, and the soil should never be soaked.

• Don't let your seedlings get too tall or leggy. Using your thumb and forefinger to pinch off leaves at the tip of the main stalk to make your plant stockier.

• Rooftops can wear with time so keep an eye on how level your garden is and disperse dirt where necessary.

• Most vegetables are fussy in cold temperatures. As frost is setting in it's a good idea to cut them down at their base near the soil level. If you're in an area with freezing temperatures, move plastic or terra cotta pots to a warm or covered area if possible so they don't crack.

#NYC #Erin Conroy #Vegetables #Rooftop #Gardening

#Rooftop #Edible #Gardening #Free #Guide

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