How to Grow a Rooftop Garden

If you do not have a yard to grow a garden in, or if your gardening space is limited, you might want to consider growing a rooftop garden. Both flowers and vegetables can be grown well in containers. If you have a roof that is strong enough and flat enough to support a garden, that is a wonderful place for growing a container garden.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Strong, flat roof
• Containers
• Soil
• Mulch

1. Select an area of the roof that gets the most sun for a garden.

2. Lay down plastic sheeting on the roof where you are going to put the garden containers.

3. Collect pots or garden boxes for growing your plants in. Another great container to use for a rooftop garden is a small child's wading pool.

4. Place containers on the plastic sheets, fill them with soil and plant vegetable or flower plants in them. Planting in containers is done the same way as planting in the ground.

5. Mulch the top of the containers around the plants with an organic mulch such as grass clippings, leaves or tree bark. A 2- to 3-inch thick layer of mulch will help the soil retain moisture and not dry out as quickly.

6. Water the rooftop garden every day unless it rains. Container gardens dry out very quickly and will require frequent watering.

7. Fertilize plants as needed. It is best to follow the instructions for fertilizing that come with the plants or seeds when you purchase them. Be careful not to over-fertilize because too much fertilizer can cause the plants to burn.