OUTDOOR PLANTS AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Is your roof strong enough to handle a garden?
Before you get too excited about what plants you’re going to grow in your London roof garden, let’s look at the critical issue of weight.
Structural integrity is key. So talk to a structural engineer who’ll tell you if your roof needs extra support for the garden of your dreams.
Next up is wind. It can get blowy up there. But don’t think a wall will fix the problem. Far better to use raffia, bamboo or grasses as screens to break up the breeze. Wind just sees a wall the way a champion hurdler sees a hurdle. It comes down on the other side just as fast.
PLANTING FOR YOUR LONDON ROOF GARDEN
You can also think beyond planters.
So let’s look at planting for your London roof garden. It’s best to imagine your flat roof is a patio. So you’re looking at planters and containers as opposed to ground-rooted planting. That’s not as restrictive as it sounds: you can still grow flowers, herbs and other plants on your roof.
Again, though, you’ll need to think about weight. Choose plants with narrow or small leaves. The needles on pines work well in exposed places – the wind blows straight through the leaves. Always go for low plants that won’t blow over. And find examples that love the sunnier conditions on your roof, such as herbs, tomatoes, and aubergines.
You’ll need to think about weight when it comes to pots and containers as well. You don’t want anything too light or they’ll blow over or, heaven forbid, over the edge of the roof. Obviously, you won’t want to place any planters on a perimeter wall, either. Larger pots also need less watering.
You can also think beyond planters. Other growing options include:
• Raised beds
• Pots
• Hanging baskets
• Hydroponic growing, where you grow plants in water.
IRRIGATING YOUR LONDON ROOF GARDEN
Best to get a tap or irrigation system installed in your London roof garden.
Your potted plants will need a lot of water, and ladders and hatches can be a bit of an obstacle you could do without. Best to get a tap or irrigation system installed in your London roof garden. Remember that water will need to move upwards, so speak to us at London Roof Gardens about how that can be achieved.
Of course, you can also reduce your water requirements as much as possible. Create windbreaks and shade to stop your plants drying out and pick plants that need less water, such as lavender, rosemary and ornamental grasses.
If a rooftop tap proves impractical, think about how else you could harvest rainwater. Consider barrels, buckets and tanks. For each 1/2 inch of rainfall, you’ll get 0.3 gallons per square foot. So the more receptacles you can put up on your roof, the better.
Get a FREE quote today
Talk to London Roof Gardens today about planting and irrigation for your roof garden. Get in touch today for a FREE, no-obligation quote. Click below to book a consultation Or call us today on 020 7205 4557.
