Turning Your Flat Commercial Roof into an Urban Garden

Many urban residents live in crowded areas and wish they had room to grow plants. Perhaps unknown to them, many of them have the necessary space to start a beautiful urban garden – their flat roofs. A commercial building’s flat roof is an even better space for farming because of its large size.
This is a list of reasons why you need to start a commercial roof garden, brought to you by Arizona Roofing Systems, the best local roofing company in Mesa, AZ:

Pros of Roof Gardens

Privacy: A roof or green garden, offers you privacy since you and your employees are the only ones who can access it. It limits your noisy neighbors and garden pests, such as squirrels and rabbits, which can destroy your plants, from easily accessing it.
Exposure: Your flat roof garden provides your crops a good exposure to the sunlight for them to grow quickly.
Temperature: A roof garden plays a big role in reducing a roof’s temperature during the summers because the plants absorb energy from the sun keeping your commercial building cool. They also lock heat inside the building keeping it warmer than the outside. That will ensure you and your employees will have an ideal working environment.
Air quality: Your plants filter noxious gases and capture airborne toxins, thereby improving the quality of air for you and your employees. Keep in mind that a green roof has the potential of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Noise pollution: A rooftop garden has the potential of reducing the noise, especially the low-frequency sounds, creating a good neighborhood.
Fruits and vegetable supply: A rooftop garden would be a good source of fruits and vegetables for you and your employees if well managed.

Cons of Green Roofs

Waterproof: You will need to invest in waterproofing and maintenance of your roof. That is because any weaknesses such as screws, nails and other garden tools can leave open holes through which water can seep into the house.
Repair: Repairing any damage to the roof is a costly affair because it may require you to remove a part of the garden or maybe even all of it.
Insurance: You would pay higher insurance premiums for your building with roof gardens compared to a standard roof.
Limitation: Your rooftop garden limits you to the kind of vegetation that you can grow on the roof.

Best Plants and Vegetables for Terrace Gardens

Some sun-loving plants, for example, daisies, marigolds, and zinnias are ideal for your urban garden. In case you have a terrace area in the shade that faces north, try introducing ferns and other greens that favor shade, such as balsams, impatiens, and English ivies.
Certain herbs such as lavender, rosemary, thyme and others that need less water can also grace your garden. Chive, parsley, cilantro, and basil can grow on roofs, but they require moderate watering and sunlight.
You can also grow some vegetables, including peppers, eggplant, and okras on a roof.

What You Need to Know About Rooftop Gardens

A well-maintained roof garden can increase the value of your property. A green roof can extend your roofing membrane’s life. You must ensure you have a good drainage system to prevent water seepage into your workplace through tiny crevices and cracks.
You must also evaluate the strength of your roof’s structure against the weight of the materials you are using on your roof garden. Equally, assess your area’s climate before starting an urban garden. For example, if you live in an area with high winds, they may blow away your seedlings and plants.