How to Garden on the Roof of a House to Be Fertile Without Damaging the Floor

Rooftop garden (Freepik)

YOGYAKARTA - For those of you who want to have a green garden on the rooftop, you have to consider many things, from choosing plants to their safety so as not to damage the floor. One way to garden on the roof of the house is to use pots. Understand the procedures for gardening on the rooftop to keep it safe and the results are fertile.

How to Garden on a Rooftop House

Rooftop is the top floor of a building. Usually the rooftop floor is only cement with a simple roof. In order to be transformed into a beautiful garden, follow the steps below.

Check the strength and condition of the rooftop

Before buying a pot or plant, first check the condition of the rooftop. Make sure the roof structure is able to withstand the additional load from the pot, planting media, water, and plants that will later grow larger. In addition, check if the floor has cracks or leaks.

If the rooftop does not have a good waterproofing layer, it is best to repair it first. This stage is very important because the garden will continue to receive watering and rainwater.

Determine the Gardening Area

Next, determine the rooftop section that will be used as a garden. Leave a path to walk so that plant care is easier. Do not place all the pots closely because air circulation and access to the drainage channel must be maintained. Planning the layout from the start also helps distribute the load more evenly on the rooftop.

Prepare a drainage system

Before even one pot is placed, make sure the water drain is functioning properly. Clean all the channels from dust or garbage. Make sure the water can flow smoothly to the drain so that it does not stagnate after watering or rain. Good drainage is the main key to keeping the roof durable and not experiencing seepage.

Put a stand or shelf for the pot

Don't just put the pot on the rooftop floor. Use a plant rack, pot feet, plastic pallets, or special coasters so that the pot base does not stick directly to the floor.

The empty space under the pot allows water to flow and air to circulate. This also helps reduce the risk of moss, water stains, and damage to the waterproofing layer.

Choose the right planting container

After the area is ready, choose a planting container according to your needs. For rooftops, plastic pots, fiberglass, resin, or grow bags are generally more recommended because they are lighter than cement pots or concrete pots. Make sure each container has a drainage hole so that excess water can drain easily.

Make light and fertile growing media.

Media tanam menjadi penentu utama pertumbuhan tanaman. Campuran yang umum digunakan adalah sebagai berikut.

40% cocopeat or burnt husk. 30% compost or mature manure. 30% loose soil or humus.

Media like this has good drainage, is rich in nutrients, and is not too heavy so it is safer for the roof.

Choose the right plants for your rooftop conditions

Because the rooftop usually receives full sunlight and quite strong winds, choose plants that are suitable for these conditions. For beginners, some plants that are easy to care for such as chili, tomatoes, cabbage, spinach, lettuce, or you can choose other types as desired.

Arrange pots according to light needs

After the plants are moved into pots, adjust their position. Place plants that need full sunlight in an open area. Meanwhile, plants that are more sensitive to heat can be placed on the side that gets shade at some time.

Give the distance between pots so that air circulation remains good and the risk of spreading plant diseases can be reduced.

That's the information related to how to garden on the rooftop of a house. Visit VOI.id to get other interesting information.