Roof top or gutter gardening . .. . would you dare?

Philippines
July 14, 2009 5:25am CST
It was reported in the television news . . .. If you have no space to plant, why not plant on your roof top or in the gutter. . . This may sound absurd to us but there are many who have done that. I wouldn't dare that especially that I have fear of heights. LOL. But roof top gardening is becoming a craze (not crazy). Have you done roof top gardening? or would you dare do it?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
14 Jul 09
If I lived in the city and had a flat room, I surely would do that. I've seen television shows that have portrayed some of the larger cities like New York and Chicago and such where people live in large apartment buildings and they have constructed gardens on the roof. It is good in many ways. It brings people together to work on a good, positive project, the plants clean the air, and of course the food itself is a great by-product. I don't know about gardening in the gutters, though. I'd have to read more about that one. Gutters are to collect rain water and direct it away from the structure. If you put dirt and plants in it, what would happen to the water?
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
14 Jul 09
Arggghh... Of course that first sentence should read 'flat ROOF'.
@benny128 (3615)
14 Jul 09
yeah personally I wouldn't as got enough space in my garden to not need to do it, but here in uk especially round where I live some of the houses instead of having tiles on their roof's they have planted grass (lawn). The experts reckon that soil and grass is the best insulation you can get.
• Philippines
14 Jul 09
Hi Benny! Oh yeah, the soil and grass is good to absorb heat. . . . You are lucky to have enough space for planting. I have a little space for planting but still I wouldn't dare go to my roof top to plant. I'm afraid of falling. LOL
@peavey (16936)
• United States
14 Jul 09
Sure I would, if I had a flat roof. Flat roofs have historically been used for all sorts of things. In the mideast, they used to be used (may still be) for an extra room.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
14 Jul 09
This is interesting. Haven't heard of this before but it makes sense. Won't keep the birds or squirrels away but other varments that can't climb or fly wouldn't bother the garden. I wouldn't get on our roof. Am also afraid of heights. Our gutters are covered with screens so they don't have to be cleaned. No leaves can collect in them.
@mzz663 (2772)
• United States
15 Jul 09
I don't think the rooftop gardening is a bad idea if you have a flat roof where the chance of falling off of the roof is slim, but the gutters? I would think they would start to weigh too much and you would have to fix or replace them. In that case it would be cheaper to just buy the food. If you forget to water the plants and it don't rain, the gutters would eventually get clogged up, I would think.
@suzzy3 (8342)
16 Jul 09
If you plant up your guttering what happens when it rains as the water runs along the gutter down to the drain or water butt.If you have a flat roof and easy access to the roof it must be impossible.It is a good idea ,they have been doing roof top gardens for ages.It is being encouraged to get wildlife into the cities and towns.It is working in London as they have birds returning.Alot of people also plant up pots and barrels on patios and small roof tops ,I think it is a wonderful idea as having birds and butterflys in cities.The gardens also make oxygen and destroy the co2 emmisions just make the place a better place to live.We live in a small village with a massive garden and we are surrounded on all sides by farmland our kids appreciate it and kids in towns and cities miss out so much.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
14 Jul 09
I have never thought of it. I am like you, have a fear of heights. I did think about it and if I could access my roof by an upstairs window, I might be able to do a flat roof, but no way could I do the gutters.
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
14 Jul 09
Hi Dori! For me it is not possible to go for roof top gardening due to space constraints. However, I have placed many potted plants on my roof and I enjoy seeing and nurshing them every morning.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
14 Jul 09
I live at the third floor of an apartment building... so i don't have a garden and i also do not have a rooftop... but i have a potted plant at the very back of my apartment... where the sun shines through every morning... it is currently healthy... and i am planning to add more potted plants... For sure if i have a space... i would definitely have my very own small garden...