Rooftop Gardening Tips

Ten Steps to a Happy Rooftop Container Garden


• Check with developer, condo board, superintendent, and/or inspector to find out if the roof is solid enough to support a garden
• Choose a spot with good light and, if possible, some protection from the worst wind exposure. Remember containers should be placed on decking, never directly on the roofing.
• Select lightweight, ornamental containers (like Southern Patio fiberglass pots) at least 12” in diameter
• Pick tough plants suitable for your area. The Top 10 Container Plants list is a good place to start.
• Add Better-Than-Rocks or other bottom filler for drainage and root growth
• Use a potting mix or make your own with 2 parts compost, 1 part peat moss, and 1 part sand
• Plant or sow seeds in pots
• Water regularly
• Keep the rooftop drain free of debris and dirt, so that water always drains easily
• Relax and enjoy the flowers and fruits

Rooftop Gardening Dos and Don’ts

DO
• Consult with green roofing companies if you want your entire rooftop landscaped
• Select beautiful, productive, tough plants
• Buy ornamental containers like Southern Patio composite pots
• Water often, unless all your plants are low maintenance/drought tolerant 
• Fertilizer regularly for annuals and veggies.  Follow directions
• Use lightweight, well drained potting mix with a filler on the bottom, like Better-Than-Rocks
• Place in location where the wind will not cause severe damage

DON'T
• Don't choose plants solely based on looks
• Don't buy ugly or unattractive containers
• Don't use garden soil. It is not suitable for containers.
• Don't over fertilize it is bad for the plants and the environment
• Don't place in a wind tunnel or other severely exposed location
• Don't place containers directly on the roofing, instead sit containers on some form of decking.

See Also:
Rooftop Gardening
Top Ten Plants for Rooftop Gardening