Home and Garden: Think high and go green

Roof gardens have taken gardening to a new level and is possibly one of the greenest forms of gardening.

Going green on your roof is not just a modern, pretty trend according to roof garden specialist, Darren Fletcher from Outerwest Landscaping.

“Roof gardens give previously wasted space a purpose, improves air quality and creates new eco systems for insects and butterflies,” he said.

To create this super low maintenance garden, all you need is a flat roof and the right system.

“The specially designed square clip in plant trays have a raised cross shaped drainage area, with wells in between, to catch any excess water.”

Fletcher said these wells act as a jojo tank, making the roof garden drought friendly and self watering.

“When there is no rain, that water is absorbed into the soil from underneath and once the plant has had enough water, the unused water goes back down into the well.”

You can create your roof garden on any flat surface, provided it is strong enough to carry the load.

“The weight of the garden works out to about 40kgs per square meter.”

The building itself benefits from the living roof, because it acts as a form of insulation.

“The garden will keep a building cooler in summer, because the plants absorb most of the heat. In winter however, the buildings will be kept warmer.”

For this reason, Fletcher said roof gardens are becoming increasingly more popular for corporate buildings, because they decrease the cost of electricity and water, while providing a green space.

“Less heating and air-conditioning are needed and the low water garden means less water usage than traditional gardens.”

Furthermore, Fletcher said storm water control is improved, as a large portion of the water is used by the garden.

So get creative with your roof for a cooler home and a greener look.