• Weight

Will the balcony or rooftop support the burden of individuals, containers and pots, soil, water, and crops? Consult a structural engineer or licensed contractor to make certain the balcony or roof terrace can bear the load. Load-bearing areas are usually round the fringe of a roof or above internal supports. Balconies are often suspended from the side of a building and may not bear heavy weight. When placing containers on a balcony or roof spread the load around and use lightweight containers and a soilless growing mix.

• Wind

The upper your garden, the more likely it’ll be exposed to wind. Wind can suck moisture from both plants and containers. Choose wind-tolerant crops—generally low-growing vegetables like lettuce and greens, carrots, potatoes, and dwarf bush beans and herbs like bay and rosemary. Screens of woven reed or bamboo and trellising can stifle wind and protect plants. High-walled containers and plants set down in soil that doesn’t fill the container can help limit exposure. If pots are lightweight it’s going to be necessary to secure them to railings or fixtures.

• Sun

Vegetables and herbs demand sunshine, but high gardens can get an excessive amount of sun exposure—plants can get sunburned and need extra water. Shade cloth and shade screens is also needed to safeguard crops. Retractable fabric awnings are often used or containers that may be easily moved to shaded areas on hot or windy days. Survey your balcony or rooftop within the morning, midday, and afternoon before deciding where to locate your containers.

• Water

Balcony and rooftop gardens require access to water—whether from a hose bib, faucet, or watering cans carried to the garden. Consider the trouble required to stay your crops watered once you locate containers. Balconies and rooftops should have a small fall in order that rainwater (and irrigation) can drain away. Check the gradient of your surface before locating containers; water will seep from pots and containers and will flow to a drain. Rooftops should have secure waterproof membranes—protection that has not been pierced or compromised—so that water doesn’t puddle and drip into the building. Rainwater is collected in barrels, but make certain the structure can bear the added weight.

• Railings and Barriers

Balcony and rooftop terraces should have a secure barrier round the edges to stay visitors safe. Confirm railings are firmly in situ. If you secure containers, trellises, awnings, or wind screens to railings or banisters, taking care not to compromise them. Make certain that planters don’t seem to be so near railings that children can get on or over them.

• Tips for Starting a Rooftop Garden:

Start with inspiration. Before you head to the garden centre, consider whether you would like to put in raised beds or would rather garden in containers, and approximately what percentage of every you would like to own. Consult with the building engineer. It is a good idea to talk over with the building manager or engineer to make sure that the roof can support the load of your garden. Check into access. You’ll have easy accessibility to the roof to move materials, tools, soil and plants up and down.

Use sturdy materials. For containers, choose larger sized pots, like half-barrel planters, which will be less likely to dry out or blow around in windy conditions. If installing raised beds, aim to create the beds a minimum of 10-inches deep, to make sure adequate soil for root growth. Find a water source. Rooftop beds and containers will dry out quickly and will have to be watered daily during the most popular parts of summer. If desired, an automatic watering system is founded to scale back time spent watering.

Look for cupboard space. It’s no fun lugging tools, fertilizers and soil up to the roof whenever you wish to garden. A tiny low storage space—even if it’s just a straightforward wooden box—will keep supplies handy and stop them from blowing around on a windy rooftop. Pick the proper planting medium. In rooftop containers and raised beds, potting soil is your supporter. Not only does it hold out better than garden soil, but it is also lightweight and won’t compact over time.