By Rami Moorosi
Before you begin
Experts from YZ and Renaldo Gardens begin by explaining that “most rooftops are not designed to sustain much weight, so some care must be taken when planning one’s garden in the choice of flooring, materials, plants, containers, ornamentation and even soil. It is a good idea to consult a structural engineer when planning any rooftop project as he or she will be able to tell you whether any reinforcement is necessary”.
Drainage
The second main obstacle in this type of gardening is drainage. This refers to the capability of water to leave an area so that it does not stagnate and contribute to a bog-like situation. Installation of any necessary piping for drainage should be left to a professional. Martine Laporta of Cast Stone goes on to add: ‘The roof slab must be waterproofed to avoid seepage, and gutters must effectively drain all the water off the slab. Gravel beds are effective in allowing water to drain off the roof.”
Plant selection
It is always a good idea to seek advice from your local nursery as to which plants will thrive best. Edrich Bandenhost of Kingfisher Landscaping goes on to add that “at Kingfisher we prefer using cacti-type planting, as these plants hardly need water, can take a lot of sun and wind, and are low maintenance”.
Potting
Select containers that fit and have holes for drainage and drip trays – the latter are not essential but are effective. Nutrients are easily sucked out of potted plants because of repeated watering. This means that regular feeding is necessary. Good potting soils and fertilisers are readily available at all reputable nurseries.
Landscaping
Landscapers advise home owners to keep the design balanced as well as using appropriate planters and plants that coincide with the surrounding environment. Jeremy Elson from The Green Room goes on to explain: “Plan how you will use the space, if you can spend some time on the roof
to get a feel for the aspect. Keep things simple, low-maintenance and user-friendly.”
Accessories
When using accessories make sure the plants, water features and ornamentation are in proportion to the space you have available. Eco-Smart Fires fireplaces, for example, are not only environmentally-friendly as they use biofuel, but conveniently and effectively bring the warmth of an open fire onto the balcony.
Alternatives
High-quality silk plants, from Distinctive Design for example, offer a great alternative to their organic counterparts with the same beauty but with less effort. Andy Scrivener of Distinctive Design goes on to add:
“With silk plants you do not need irrigation, do not have the problems associated with drainage or rising damp, nor do you have the problems of weight issues – soil for example is very heavy.” Another added advantage of using silk over real plants is that you can have an instant garden without having to wait for the plants to grow.
