If you have the space available, a rooftop garden is an easy way to make your home more eco-friendly. Why have one (or no) garden when you can have two? People run into problems when they want to build one because they typically don’t know where to begin. Let’s to run through some of the things you’ll need to consider. If you can follow all of the below steps, your rooftop garden will become a reality much quicker than you thought possible.
1.) Hire a Landscape Designer or Architect
Before you begin dreaming about what your rooftop garden will look like, you should consider hiring a landscape architect (or designer) to assist you with the project. They are more experienced and will be able to help you with things you’re likely to overlook. Another big reason is the fact they can determine how much greenery, in terms of weight, you are able to add to your garden to assure safety of the roof. Awareness of projected costs and local building codes is also something they can inform and educate you about.
2.) YES, Bigger Really is Better
You’ll want your rooftop garden to be as large as possible, but often, this can’t be accomplished without building an extension which runs into additional costs. Instead, you’ll have to rely on lots of sneaky tricks that will give the illusion of a larger garden. The perfect example would be to utilize glass to create reflections and hence, the illusion of more greenery. You can also use certain color combinations to effectively create the appearance of more space.
3.) Eat What You Grow + Reap What You Sow
Some people enjoy growing fruits and vegetables in their garden because they enjoy eating their own creations, but it’s also a great way to help the environment since a plethora of energy is wasted transporting food from farms to supermarkets. You could easily grow your own produce in your rooftop garden. If you prefer less maintenance, you can stick with herbs since they’re easy to grow and can be used for cooking.
4.) Create Wonderful Smells
You get to select what flowers to grow in your garden, so why not you choose those that will make your garden smell great? If your roof happens to be in the middle of a city where the air quality is poor, a wonderful smelling garden can help mask the car exhaust fumes and other pollution. If you don’t know which flowers are most effective, you can speak to someone at your local garden center. They’ll be able to explain what flowers pair well together and are best suited for your specific climate.
5.) Keeping It Private
Even if your garden is on the roof, it’s possible for others to see in if their house is overlooking yours. To ensure privacy, your garden will need to have walls. The best choice is living walls which are very eco-friendly since they’re made from living plants. If you position them around your rooftop garden you’ll have all the privacy you need. Optionally, you can add a few custom windows if you still desire a peek-a-boo view.
Are You Ready to Get Started?
We’ve touched upon how to bring your rooftop garden to life, but we haven’t discussed the benefits. Your rooftop garden will become the perfect place for you to relax when you want to escape from the world – and – if your roof is big enough, it’s a great place to throw outdoor parties.
Today, the available options to personalize your space are virtually unlimited. And, it rooftops aren’t your thing, you can always start in your backyard. Enjoy the process and create a space you love.
Guest blogger, Leslie Kramer, is a freelance blogger, who is currently writing for Deluxe Windows specializing in manufacturing high quality windows. Leslie is a nature lover and likes to explore new places during weekends.
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