Comments on: BIG ideas for roof gardens [part 2]

By: Rachel Mathews

Rachel Mathews — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Hi Dianne,

Sounds like it would be a good idea to try and create some shelter using planting or trellis attached to planters. You’ll need to use plants that can cope with the strong winds and dry conditions. You will also need planters that are big enough not to get blown over or dry out too quickly. You can use a water retaining gel that helps hold moisture in the compost.

Plastic or timber planters filled with plants would work well. You will need much more depth than 2-3 inches though. You need at least a foot of soil if you want plants other than ground cover ones.

We don’t do site visits unless you are Cambridgeshire/Essex in the UK but we do offer a postal design service – see this page for more details: http://www.successfulgardendesign.com/garden-design-service/

By: Dianne Andrews

Dianne Andrews — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:35:30 +0000

I would love some ideas about a small rooftop space with no access except through a bathroom window,
no sides,no walls, in \Sausalito,significant wind , good 5hours of sun, about 10 by 10 feet.What plants,to use,how do you not have the soil run off,can you have plastic planters as borders filledwith plants,littlesoil,and plant in the middle? how much soil, 2 or 3 inches ok ?? anyone want to come visit and advise? Dianne

By: How Does Your Garden Grow Do You Have A Plan | Glenns Garden

How Does Your Garden Grow Do You Have A Plan | Glenns Garden — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 02:02:15 +0000

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By: Rachel Mathews

Rachel Mathews — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:18:26 +0000

Thanks Jenny, definitely the best way – I tend to leave the structural stuff to the experts!

By: Jenny Peterson

Jenny Peterson — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:45:49 +0000

Great post, Rachel! I’ve done a couple of rooftop spaces, but my role was as horticultural consultant, so I wasn’t a part of the structural analysis and design.

By: Rachel Mathews

Rachel Mathews — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:37:46 +0000

Thanks Guy, I’d missed the ‘their’ – I write my blog posts using voice recognition software and sometimes my dyslexic brain does miss some obvious clangers! Appreciate you taking the time to help me, despite appearances, I hate having mistakes.

By: guy tucker

guy tucker — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:07:04 +0000

How about learning how to write? Your sentence which starts “And if you require…” actually isn’t a sentence at all. Also learn the difference between “their” the possessive of they and “there” . Otherwise some nice ideas.

By: SusanJ

SusanJ — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:32:21 +0000

Ditto, to what Sherice said! However, it does give me some ideas to make my deck a little more inviting.

And I love the idea about creating outdoor art with less expensive canvases and some good varnish! Brilliant.
.-= SusanJ´s last blog ..The Myth of “I don’t feel like it” (Part I) =-.

By: Sherice Jacob

Sherice Jacob — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:39:53 +0000

This makes me wish I had a flat roof so I could do this! I could totally see myself spending hours on the roof in my garden over the summer
.-= Sherice Jacob´s last blog ..What Cake Decorating Can Teach You About Managing Social Media =-.

By: Rachel Mathews

Rachel Mathews — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:56:21 +0000

I’ve designed roof gardens for people with large gardens – all you need is a flat roof extension onto your house and then you can have one! Ok, that is the slightly expensive route to getting a roof garden ;o)