When You Need Garden Space, Look Up!

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Talk about a great use of an old factory space. These two green roof gardeners took the roof of a bagel factory and turned it into a vegetable garden. It’s a very cool idea! Go take a look at the Rooftop Farm in Brooklyn!

6 thoughts on “When You Need Garden Space, Look Up!”

  1. Why is nothing ever mentioned about the cost of preparing a rooftop garden? You just can't climb up there and toss seeds around on a black tar roof. There has to be thousands of dollars involved with making a large rooftop structurally sound for supporting the additional weight of all the soil needed. I wonder if such a thing is cost effective in terms of what sustainability truly is? What do you think Dave?

  2. That's a fair question. According to most sites I've seen online about rooftop gardens there is a certain amount of reinforcement necessary for the increased weight. I couldn't tell you how much though. The roof is supposed to last longer than the traditional roof I believe and it keeps the inside insulated better. As for the breakdown in numbers I have absolutely no clue, I'd love to know. I just thought it was a cool idea.

  3. and I say, If you have the money and the time, go for it! I think it's wonderful. We acutally have a gym by the mall that has a terribly ugly roof that can be seen as you drive by, I have often thought they should at least have a few dozen containers of color up there.

  5. "Certain amount" would surely mean that construction requirements would meet or exceed the particular state's building codes. You and I both know how heavy wet soil is. I'm pretty sure I could get an estimate on the cost(s) of such a project. It might be interesting to know how much green you'd lose by greening your roof. ;~)

  6. TC,

    Soil can get heavy. I'm assuming that the building is steel reinforced and can carry the load but I have no way to know for sure. I'm not an engineer although I do know one I could ask. I wonder if permits have been established yet for building these rootop gardens?

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