Roof Gardens On A Budget – It’s Possible

As the urban dwellers live in a limited space, the roof garden is bliss for them. This lets one expand the space and have an artful turf. You might have started thinking about the cost. Do not get panicky! It is possible to create a roof garden on a budget. Read on to know the ways.

1. Know the local regulations

Before you commit to creating a roof garden, find out the local rules and regulations. Maybe it is prohibited in the locality, or you may require some special treatment for this. Moreover, there could be regulations of the homeowners association. Clear all these before you invest your time and money.

2. Take professional advice

Consult an architect or a licensed contractor. Of course, they are not needed for the whole project. Contact them to know if it would be safe to have the roof garden. Maybe the building is not designed to withstand the load. Or it may be able to take a part of the load. They will be able to tell you these things.

3. Consider the layout

Once this is done, map out the layout on a graph paper. This should include the position of the plants and the sitting arrangement as well. This will get you organized and also help to make changes easily.

Other than this, you have to consider the wind. A roof is always windier than the ground. Use latticed windbreaks to reduce the flow of the winds. Monitoring the exposure to the sun is also vital. The roof garden must have minimum 6 to 8 hours of daylight. Also, keep provision for watering. When all these are taken care of, you will get a nice escape.

4. Make seed trays out of what you can gather

A seed tray is a must for maintaining a roof garden. No need to go for the dedicated seed trays. Make use of whatever you have. The egg cartons can be a great seed tray. You can also use toilet rolls for a seed starter. This will give you the pleasure of repurposing and save cost.

5. Choose plants wisely

Buying the drought and heat tolerant plants makes a roof garden cost-effective. Being less fragile, such plants have better chances of survival. Plant ornamental shrubs and avoid large trees. They put much load on the roof and also leave little space for decoration.

6. Try using native plants

Native plants are better on many counts. These are great for the novice gardeners as they are easy to maintain. They have a nice growth and stay for long. Thus, you will have fewer replacements. The native flowers bloom synchronizing with the local conditions and are better to withstand climatic changes. The beauty of the native plants is that these help soil and water conservation.

7. Create your own stepping stones

If you have enough space on the roof then creating a path makes the garden dramatic. This can be done easily. Varieties of colored garden pebbles are available in the market. Get some of those to create an amazing pattern. This will make a nice stepping stone in the roof garden.

8. Build your own planter

A DIY planter can save you much cost. There are several options to do this. You can use almost anything for this from kiddy pools, old tubs. Making planters using lumber is a great idea. Wooden pallets can also make a fun pallet in your roof garden. Cut it into several parts to make the planter more appealing.

9. Consider creating a cage garden

Repurposing a birdcage also creates a beautiful garden ambiance. Get an old birdcage from the flea market and paint it. Fill the bottom with soil and pot some plants. This will be a nice addition to the roof garden. You may also hang several such cages for a hanging garden theme.

10. Create multiple beds

Creating multiple beds delivers an affordable roof garden. If you have old pots, pitchers, old boxes; that can be easily transformed into plant beds. Arrange them in the order you like. They will spruce up the garden. Since these are portable they can be rearranged easily for a new look.

11. Get lightweight furniture

Once you are through with planting, focus on sitting arrangements. Remember, every inch of the roof is precious and has to be used economically. Including lightweight furniture puts fewer loads on the roof. Using folding chairs is perfect. You can also make your own garden bench from wooden pallets.

12. Use faux trees and plants

The custom artificial trees are the godsend for those who are not a green thumb. Requiring practically no maintenance, this is a cost-effective option. These never grow out of shape nor outgrow the space. So, you need not trim or prune them. All these made the faux plants such a popular landscaping element.

You can get the fake landscaping elements in varieties of trees, plants, flowers, topiaries etc. The outdoor artificial trees are made from premium quality foliage and strong colorfast pigment. This makes them strong to withstand seasonal variations. Infused with UV-blocking substances, they never wilt or fade.

Passing through many evolutions the outdoor artificial plants and trees look perfectly realistic. As such you need not compromise on the aesthetics. These are also available in fire retardant varieties for making a fire safe roof garden.

When you want to incorporate an oasis vibe in the roof garden, the artificial tropical trees are the best. With their stately appearance, they add color and texture to the place. These are light in weight. So, the roof will have a minimum load. These do not attract any insects and offer safe lounging.

Conclusion

A roof garden creates reduces the roof maintenance cost. It also delivers a place to breathe. The above ideas are cost-effective and can be implemented easily. Try these in your urban home. You will get a gorgeous roof garden that will be your pride and the neighbors’ envy.