While it seems spring gardening is only available to those who have expansive backyards, rooftop gardens are becoming more popular than ever before. Whether you live in an urban home or you live high atop a city building, roof top terraces and gardens are a way for you to take advantage of nature, and bring the green outdoor benefits to your home as well. Here are tips to create the perfect oasis on your adjacent rooftop terrace.
Image clipped from: My Landscapes
Create an outdoor room:
One of the beautiful features of rooftop gardens is the ability to transform a hardscaped area, whether it is concrete, gravel, or asphalt, into a lush oasis of plants, seating area and vertical architectural elements. Just like an interior room, set the “foundation” first. Consider using cedar or teak wood, or colorful gravel and flat stepping stones to enhance the flooring and add color. Also use built up planters made of concrete, terra cotta, or even plastic. Many planters today are made from resin or plastic and can hold plants and even trees, to add layers of greenery to visually and physically make the outdoors feel like your inside home.
Image clipped from: Modresdes
Get creative with greenery:
Depending on how large your rooftop area is will help dictate how much area you need to spread your greenery and seating areas. Layout your space on a piece of paper, and determine how you will use the space. If you like to entertain, a bar area with seating and low-lying plants could be perfect. If you prefer to lounge outdoors with the afternoon sun, consider varying height plants, trees, and arbors to add visual architectural elements and shade some of the sun’s rays. Arbors and trellises also offer Consider adding fountains and trickling water elements for a serene sound, and a way to mask heavy traffic in surrounding areas. Position your greenery, fountains and seating around conversation areas to enjoy your rooftop gardens at various times of the year!
Image clipped from: Bonnie Plants
Rooftop gardens are a nice addition to any home from the outdoors and from inside your home. Looking out onto a rooftop garden is peaceful from inside, and it’s an extra bonus when you can go out and enjoy the fruits of your labor. As spring fast approaches, its time to think of how you will plan out your garden spaces. Consider making a raised garden, and planting herbs and vegetables! What a perfect way to bring in the new season.
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1 comment
Garden Design London says:
Jul 29, 2011
It’s really a great idea to make a rooftop garden….. I really appreciate you idea and the creativity….. I was also thinking to design one, but didn’t get the proper idea for that. Thanks a lot for sharing this…….