Urban areas are full of cemented buildings & blocks resulting in high temperature and air pollution. Green spaces are being converted into commercial and residential centers impacting the overall climate. There is a dire need to promote “Plantation and Gardening” to create a balance in the ecosystem and to survive under the rapid climate change phenomenon. Governments around the globe are designing and implementing mass plantation campaigns with an inclusive attitude of involving all segments of society.
“Gardening” is an eco-friendly activity – “Rooftop Gardening or Green Roofs” is an emerging trend preferably for those residential and commercial areas that don't have enough green spaces. This concept involves a landscape garden at the top floor containing all items including flowers, vegetables, fruits, plants, trees, herbs and shrubs. A play area or a relaxing green spot may also be designed. This idea of gardening is being widely adopted in major cities of the world.
Garden at the rooftop positive impact on both physical and mental health; flower beds and plants reflect a soothing wave in the surroundings. Furthermore, plants and trees purify the air by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. It also maintains the temperature of roof floor in all weathers.
In most of the houses, rooftop is an unused space. With due intelligence and creativity, one can easily transform its rooftop into a lush green field by adopting few steps / techniques. Medium heighted plants at the boundaries will enhance the beauty of the terrace. Let's discuss some techniques of establishing rooftop garden.
Theme/Design. Firstly, select a layout for your rooftop garden; preferably it should be simple and sophisticated. The layout style will depend upon the choice of plants / edibles you want to grow on the rooftop garden. Rooftops face direct sunlight and are more exposed to the weather as compare to the cottage or ground floor gardens, so choose plants accordingly. Set up a theme of your garden and decorate with herbs, shrubs and flower beds; also place pots and baskets on the walls. Colorful lights, containers and running fountains add beauty to the green roofs.
Rooftop farming. Immense pleasure comes when you eat your own grown vegetables and fruits. Organic foods have no alternative; Rooftop garden provides you an opportunity to taste home-grown, chemical free products. You can start with easy-to-grow plants that require low maintenance such as tomatoes, radish, green chilies, spinach fenugreek curry leaves, coriander, cucumber, papaya and cabbage etc.
In our daily routine, we consume processed food (mixture of chemicals) that are absolutely not good for health. According to United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO), there is enough evidence for the governments to stop, slow or reverse the increasing production and consumption of processed foods.
Flower beds at the rooftop . Multi-colored flowers and their fragrances add value to the garden; they also welcome butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects from the surroundings. Flowers can be grown in garden boxes and containers hanging on the walls. Jasmine, hibiscus, rose, oleander and gardenia are some of the blooming flowers to be grown in the rooftop gardens.
Nourishment of Plants with Soil and Compost. The key to keeping plants healthy and nourished lies in the soil; the more fertile it would be, the richer it will produce. Mixing organic composting into soil grows healthier plants in the garden. Use kitchen waste like fruits & vegetable peels, eggshells etc for preparing compost.
Rooftop garden seating. A comfortable seating arrangement at the rooftop garden is mandatory; it will enhance the outlook of the area. Prefer quality outdoor, light weight, waterproof furniture along with folding chairs / sofas. Set up furniture in the center or around the corner of the garden; which suits the most.
Rooftop Garden Lights . Install lighting bulbs / LEDs to brighten the garden in the evenings and at nights. Fairy lights, spotlights or focused lights around the plants and trees will enhance the decor of the rooftop garden. Solar-powered lights can also be used to keep the garden lively.
Rooftop Garden – Few Essentials to be followed
Manage the load capacity: Use light weight pots / containers / furniture and all other products in the rooftop garden.
Waterproofing of the floor: Water is an indispensable part of gardening, so its roof floor must be perfectly waterproofed to avoid seepage problem.
Water drainage: Rooftop gardens should have proper drainage for rain water and routine watering of the plants.
Water dripping system: Plants and flowerbeds need water in daily routine, so water dripping system should be installed on the rooftop garden.
Windbreaks on rooftop gardens: Set up windbreaks around the plants to prevent them from getting uprooted and destroyed due to speedy winds.
Rooftop garden safety: Everything placed in the rooftop garden must be firmly installed. The edges of the garden should be properly covered. Don't use anything that causes harm in or outside the garden area, especially in the neighborhood.
Rooftop Garden Maintenance Guide. Garden at the rooftop is an interesting and charming phenomenon, but it requires proper maintenance on a regular basis. Some tips as below:-
- Use pest control tools to avoid pest attacks.
- Avoid giving excessive water to the plants as it will cause loss of nutrients from the soil.
- Remove extra, dry & dead leaves and flowers and use them back in the soil to increase its productivity.
- Place the plants / flower containers at the right spots, depending on their type. Plants that require low sunshine should be placed under shades.
- Keep the garden clean and healthy. Decorate the green space with some extra ornaments like installation of fountain, wind chimes and brass bells.
Future of Green Roofs. Green roofs are gaining momentum in major global cities for a better urban environment as well as to reduce the climate change impacts. People are being encouraged to participate in urban farming. Governments are making policies to convince all segments of society to adopt rooftop gardening. It will increase the green area in the urban landscape.
REFERENCES
https://www.rooftopvegplot.com/
https://housing.com/news/rooftop-garden-design-ideas/
https://www.eco-outdoor.com/en-nz/outdoor-design/5-rooftop-gardening-considerations
https://www.homesandgardens.com/ideas/roof-garden-ideas
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