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!
Discover more from Growing The Home Garden
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
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?
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.
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.
A wonderful way to utilize some valuable garden space. Thanks for the link Dave. 🙂
"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. ;~)
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?