How to Grow a Roof Garden

You can grow your own garden even if you don't have a yard. Enjoy fresh produce that you grew yourself by planting a rooftop garden.

Step 1: Set up a watering system. You can recycle rainwater simply by placing buckets out to catch rain, or you can run a hose up the side of the building and attach drip lines and a timer system.
Step 2: Make accommodations for the more extreme wind conditions on a rooftop by installing shields to protect your plants. Install an overhead cover for shade to compensate for heat radiated by the roof and the additional heat common at higher altitudes.
Step 3: Harvest your garden and enjoy the literal fruits of your labor.
FACT: Michelle Obama planted the first vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden during World War II.
TIP: Root vegetables, melons, broccoli, and cauliflower tend to grow poorly on rooftops.
Step 4: Decide what types of plants you want to grow. Plants that grow well on rooftops include herbs, lettuces, beans, peas, spinach, cherry and grape tomatoes, and greens.
TIP: Generally, you'll want to situate your garden around the roof's edges, where it is strongest.
Step 5: Line your garden area with plastic sheeting to prevent standing water and potential flooding.
Step 6: Decide whether you want raised beds or containers. If you have raised beds, you can put them on tables for easier watering.
Step 7: Make sure your roof is strong enough to support a garden. Soil is heavy, and wet soil is even heavier; add to that the weight of fruit-bearing plants, and you've got quite a load for your roof to bear.

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