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Why Roof Gardening? As pressure on land keeps on increasing especially in metropolitan areas, roof gardening turns out to be an option. Different reasons comprise enhancing architectural and decorative designs, climate control, own fruit and vegetable supply, home for tiny insects, bees, butterflies, birds, and lizards, among others.

Roof gardening offers amazing recreational opportunities, not only as a leisure pursuit and pastime but promotes personal movement and exercise while taking care of the garden.

It not only encourages greener cities but promotes efficient waste and water recycling, therefore effecting ecological conservation. Green plants help to arrest excess carbon dioxide brought about by transportation vehicles and businesses which causes global warming.

Consideration of the weight of the soil should be based on the strength of the building’s floor block. If you plan to build your own house, let the architect and the engineer be informed that you would intend to do roof gardening.

Lighter soil types must be utilized, like peat moss and soil rite. If these are unavailable, try a combination of garden soil (50%) saw dust (30%) and sand pebbles (20%), such a soil combination is not only lightweight but additionally increases water retention and root growth You would never appreaciate damp surroundings on your roof. To let excess water to drain off, put a coating of waterproof bitumen on the floor.

Throughout construction stage, water-resistant cement should be used on the floor. But, you may place burnt bricks (2″x4″ inches) next, place a net lawn on top to maintain soil on place. If the area is huge, place pipes along several places that lead to the major drainage holes and make sure they are coated by the soil. You may also improvise with covers to hold off heavy rains from damaging your crops, as indeed scorching sun.

Jason Myers is a professional writer and he writes mostly about gardening related tips. He’s also interested in landscaping and outdoor decorating news.

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Soil is always the key to a healthy plant. For containers and hanging baskets use an artificial soil composed mostly of peat moss.  Good soils such as Fafard or Pro-Mix use perlite, peat, and other ingredients to produce a soil that will not compact over the summer.  I also use homemade compost in my container plants. (It makes great compost tea.)

Real garden soil compacts and turns into concrete under the pressure of regular watering.  And when that happens the plant roots stop growing because they require good open spaces to move into and absorb nutrients. Hard, compacted soils do not grow good plants so do not use real soil in your containers. It’s also lighter than real soil.

Tip: I re-use my artificial potting soil from year to year.  I dump it out of the pot when the season is over or the plant needs re-potted. Break up the soil mix with a shovel to cut up all last year’s roots. Next add approximately 10 % of compost. The compost will create air spaces and gives plants a boost of nutrients.

Feed your plants regularly.  Nitrogen is needed by all plants and is used up quickly.  I use a fish-emulsion liquid feed with seaweed to provide all the trace nutrients my plants require.  I also use compost tea, which I have a supply on hand at all times. You can use any liquid plant food (like Miracle Grow) to promote growth.

Watering your plants. And finally, no matter the size of the container, it is important to soak it all the way to the bottom at each watering.  Continue watering until water emerges from the pot bottom.  This ensures the roots can reach all parts of the container and grow properly. I also set all my container plants on pebbles that sit on trays. This adds humidity around the plant and also makes sure the plant has drained well. Plants do not like wet feet (roots).

photo credit: daryl_mitchell

These tips will keep your container plants and indoor plants healthy.

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For example, planting a sun lover like hibiscus in the shade will result in a slow growth and decline, which will usually lead to disease and insect problems, followed by its demise. Planting a giant shrub like a viburnum against the foundation of your house will result in you clipping the shrub several times each year to keep it somewhat under control.

I usually research my shrub online or from a garden book and choose my location before I buy the plant. This way I can dig a hole and be ready to plant the shrub as soon as I get home. If I have pre-dug the hole I water the hole the night before I get the shrub.

If I find a shrub and bring it home, I water the shrub well and sit it in the shade, dig a hole, water the hole and plant the shrub the next day.

Why water a hole? It lets me see if the location drains well and I also make sure the surrounding water is damp and moist. This will help the shrub adapt to its new surrounding faster.

Other tips for planting a shrub

• Plant your container grown or balled shrubs in early spring or fall, while temperatures are mild. Bare root shrubs should be planted in early spring, so they have the rest of the growing season to get established.
• Dig a hole approximately 1 ½ times the size of the root ball. Amend the soil minimally. I use compost in the bottom of the hole and mix a small amount of compost in the soil that I have removed for the shrub. When roots encounter overly rich soil surrounded by a wall of clay, they tend to grow back into the amended area, producing a root-bound effect. Since my soil tens to be heavy clay this step is important for me.
• Tamp the soil back into the hole with your foot, eliminating air pockets. Air pockets cause poor drainage and the roots of the shrub will not breath properly leading to a sickly shrub that grows slowly.
• Water the shrub with a trickle from the hose, drip irrigation or with plastic milk jugs until the area is saturated. Continue providing one inch of water per week during the growing season.
• It’s best to reduce competition from weeds by installing a weed mat or 2 to 3 inches of mulch. Your shrub will grow better and you will have less work. You could also plant a shallow-rooted ground cover around the base of the shrub. Periwinkle is a good choice for a ground cover.
• When planting shrubs, plant in a group of three to five. Repetition and odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye and have a more natural look. If you consider your shrub to be a stand-alone specimen, plant some smaller shrubs in front of it to give a layered look. The addition of perennial flowers in the group will also add to the planting.

Shrubs add to the beauty and relaxation of your yard. They also make a great backdrop for flowers and soften the edges of your home and garden areas.

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It’s also made me plan more for the future. I have switched most of my gardens to container gardens where I can move the containers indoors on cold nights. I have made raised beds that can be covered in colder weather and are protected from floods and can also be covered when we have too much rain.

The raised beds are being moved near a pond for easy watering and piping has been has been planned into the design for easy watering in case of drought. The uses of rain barrels for collecting excess rain are also in the plans.

And I have also switched to move “gardening under glass. I will be able to extend my gardening season, try new plants and hopefully be able to handle any climate problems that come my way.

I don’t know if it was global warming that lead to our horrendous summer or lack of summer but gardens and trees have really suffered this year.

I also suffered heavy loss due to flooding and property damage.

For this reason The Gardener’s Rake and its sister site, Backyard Oasis will have a week of topics covering how to deal and plan your backyard, front yard and garden areas for weather that is less than perfect.

Join us next week (August 24th, 2009) for topics on:

• Raised Bed Gardening
• Gardening under Glass
• Dry Creeks
• The Moveable Garden
• Climate problems
• Surviving drought
• landscape ideas
  
• and more.

My front yard backyard and garden areas are also being totally redone due to property damage.

The projects will probably last into next year but will be covered online. Ideas for healthy plants and trees will also be covered. I hope that these ideas will help you if you end up in a situation like I have.

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Gardens are places of beauty designed and enhanced with a touch of garden decor to capture a piece of nature and put it within the reach of a home owner at any time of the day. They are great spots to relax, unwind and refresh one’s mind and soul.
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A stroll through a lovely garden full of flowers that are in full bloom would cheer up any manic depressive. Gardens have traditionally been places of relaxation and unwinding. Buddhist monks created versions that were also used as meditating spaces and were serene enough to bring spiritual tranquility to the soul.

Japanese monks have of yore tended to the idea of gardens being quiet places for soul searching and deep meditation and spiritual contemplation. Japanese miniature and mega versions have been long popular and the Buddhist techniques of landscaping and flora selection for a garden are still in vogue.

Sculptures and water fountains and patios are the most commonly sought after form of garden decors. Although gardens mainly consists of plants, flowers and shrubs that when carefully chosen and placed together are able to capture natural beauty, the inclusion of decorative items adds another dimension to this beauty. 
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Though most home gardens that are on a small scale are designed by the home owners themselves, it is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon to employ the services of a designer or a landscape architect to create a beautiful garden for oneself. The decor used is usually chosen by these specialists and would tend to reflect exactly those moods that are required by the home owner.

Garden decors come in many shapes and sizes from gargantuan water fountains that spew gallons of water per minute to tiny sparkling fountains that make sweet sounds. The home owner can choose the appropriate kind of decor by comparing costs and as per his aesthetic requirements.

Bird baths and feeds and bird houses are also popular decors for many gardens.

Many gardens sport patios that can be used both in summer as well as in cold climates, these patios coupled with sun roofs provide for great lounging spaces and excellent locations for barbecue parties and outdoor eating.

Properly lighted patios accompanied by heaters that keep people warm during cold weather can also become ideal venues for hosting outdoor dinners.

Most American home owners tend to spend at least 5 to 10 percent of the expenditure on their homes on gardens that are inclusive of barbecue, lawns and outdoor kitchens and patios. If you are located in places that are prone to fickle weather can sport water proof canopies and furniture.

Weather proof furniture, along with water proof canopies or coverings can allow the owner to enjoy the space during all seasons. Having night time lamps installed in strategic places around the garden can not only lend ethereal beauty to it but also make it an ideal spot for hosting dinner parties and the like.

A designer can help decide the right accessories to choose, that would lend beauty and aesthetic appeal and also make it an ideal partying location.

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A great, low maintenance way to decorate your garden is with the use of vines, since they look good on almost anything. If You’ve got a fence that stands out in your lush green garden, growing a vine over it can be a quick and beautiful solution. Depending on what look you want, there are many vines that can meet your needs.
photo credit: DominusVobiscum

Trying to find an alternative to grass? Ground vines are a great way to easily cover ground, and since they are so easily directed, you can use them to make a border around your garden, or even have them weave throughout your plants. Some varieties of the ground vine are resilient enough to survive being stepped on, and even survive dogs!

Along with ground vines, “twining” vines are vines that make their way up a lattice or any equally porous surface by sending out small tendrils that latch on and loop onto whatever is close enough to reach in their search for the sun. While they require a lot of direction at first, once these vines have grown a bit, they require almost no care.

Ivy is a vine that nearly everyone is used to seeing. It is this way because Ivy is one of the most adaptable and resilient types of vines growing, and it can grow pretty much anywhere. Ivy is great to use for ground cover, and it will also grow up any wall you put it near. Over the years, however, people have found that buildings covered in Ivy have been deteriorating because of it.

If you are looking for a natural way to improve the architecture of your home, or simply want to go green, vines are the way to go! A great way is with Virginia Creeper, a “twining” vine that can grow up a wall of any home in a matter of months. Make sure to keep your eye on it, though; while it looks great when its where you want it, it can very easily take over your home.

So no matter what you want to do with a vine, you should have no problem getting it to grow. You should always do your research beforehand and find out about any negative qualities the vine has (such as its ability to destroy buildings, as is the case with Ivy) and researching how fast the vine will grow, especially if you plan on using it on your home.

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A person who is seeking to escape the general cacophony of life and find a soothing and comfortable retreat often looks towards a garden. Gardens filled with trees, shrubs and green grassy meadows and with beautiful garden decor are beckoned forth to enjoy the serenity that it has to offer.
photo credit: faeryboots

A stroll through a lovely garden full of flowers that are in full bloom would cheer up any manic depressive. Gardens have traditionally been places of relaxation and unwinding. Buddhist monks created versions that were also used as meditating spaces and were serene enough to bring spiritual tranquility to the soul.

Die hard enthusiasts of gardening go to great lengths to procure the right kind of look. This includes adding items like fountains, exotic lighting, statues and gnomes, furniture etc. Accessories or ornaments are add-ons that enhance the aesthetic appeal of any garden by adding to its personality. An artificial brook or a sculpture can change the entire mood that is evoked by the ambience of your outdoor space.

Garden decors are accessories that enhance the natural beauty of the garden by including within it fountains that spew water, bird baths and bird houses, statues, furniture and lighting fixtures that transforms the landscape at night. Sculptures, fountains and patios are the most common accessories. Some gardens, especially English ones, sport gnomes within.

Large gardens tend to include artificial brooks or springs that create natural sounds that are soothing to the ear. It is extremely enjoyable to listen to the sounds of nature, either of tiny birds chirping excitedly as the splash around in a birdbath or of the gurgling brook.

Traditionally, gardening has been seen as a hobby and a recreation and most gardens were tended to by the home owners themselves. Nowadays there is an increasing trend to employ the services of specialists such as garden designers or landscape architects who do not come cheap. What these experts bring with them is a wealth of knowledge on aesthetics and choice of accessories and decors as well as the ideal ingredients for a complete garden.

Gardens need to reflect a particular mood; especially a cheerful one and the inclusion of the right garden decor can see to it that the desired results are achieved. The stand out from amidst the shrubs, trees and grassy meadows and enhance the appeal of your garden considerably.

Gardens are being increasingly preferred to back yards as venues to host parties and outdoor activities such as barbecue parties and birthday events. Most Americans invest a large amount of time an money, so as to have a personal space of their own. There are many manufacturers that supply garden decors that are ideal for hosting parties and barbecue events. These accessories are inclusive of grills, outdoor kitchens, patios and furniture and heaters that keep guests warm even during the cold weather.

Ideally, accessories should be catalysts that trigger subtle changes in the overall landscape and should not be the prime features. Trees, shrubs, grassy meadows, exotic and colorful plants and gravel drives should be the main components with a sprinkling of garden accessories amongst all that.

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It’s best to move a tree in spring, or in the fall in warm regions. I would also suggest a friend helps with the project and that you have the new home lines up and ready for the tree so that it can be placed in the ground as soon as possible.

My grandfather who was in forestry and extremely knowledgeable with trees always told me to mark the tree on the north side and to make sure that the tree was planted in the same position in its new home, facing north.

Start moving the tree by digging a circle around the drip line. This is the reach of the outermost branches. You will want to dig approximately the same distance down. If the drip line is three foot out from the tree, dig down three feet. You will want to dig carefully to try and keep as much of the soil on the roots of the tree as possible.

The tree may be quite heavy, depending in the size of the root ball that you left on the roots. So be prepared for the weight with a tarp and possible a moving cart. Gently remove the tree with to keep as much of the root ball intact as possible. Position the tarp next to the tree and position the tree on the tarp.

Handling the trunk of the tree may snap or damage it. Use a handcart or roller to move the tree to its new position. You can drag the tree but this will knock soil of the tree’s dirt ball.

I water the hole that I have prepared first place, place some dirt from the original hole in the bottom of the new whole then gently place the tree in the hole. Make sure the tree is positioned the right distance in the hole, not lower than before. And few inches higher than it was originally planted is ok.

Mix peat into the soil that is placed around the tree. This will help retain more moisture and the new roots will grow easier in a peat soil mix. Water well and stake the tree in place. Top with more soil as the soil will settle and tamp in place.

Keep an eye on the newly planted tree for a season to see how it is adjusting. You may want to add some liquid fertilizer occasionally to help the tree adjust to its new home.

Note: transplant the tree to its new home as quickly as possible. This will help with transplant shock and you don’t want the trees roots to have the chance to dry out.

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The built in pool can be made to fit in quite easily with a patio or terraced garden area but the above ground pool needs a little more creativity to make it part of your home and garden.

There are several fast end easy ways to blend your new above ground pool into the landscaping.

Add a deck. The deck will add to the space available near the pool and can double as n entertainment area. Place a few porch boxes for flowers in the rail and a container garden on the deck for flowers and vegetables. Carry the colors into the rest of the yard and you will create a flow in the backyard garden area. You can even add small potted trees that can later be moved indoors.

To blend the area under the deck into the yard you can put lattice board there to hide the space and use it for storage or put thick mulch under the deck and flowerpots or flowers by the deck edge. I have even seen vines used in this area and it has a very artistic look.

If you don’t have a deck you can place mulch around the pool area. You can add a few potted trees or mini container garden arrangements to add color. A bench an umbrella would also add a feeling of relaxation to the area.

A small arbor near the pool with vines will create a place to rest and shade if properly placed. It will make you pool area into a small secret garden area.

A patio will also blend the pool into the garden area. The patio can be as easy as laying down indoor outdoor carpeting and adding a few chair or more of a project with rocks or cement.

The main concern here is to enjoy the pool, the backyard and your garden areas. By finding a common design thread or with the use of flowers and colors you can easily blend your pool into the backyard garden area.

The Backyard Oasis has many articles on the backyard pool and how to set it up to make it part of your landscape design.

Technorati Tags: container gardening, gardening tips, landscaping, landscaping pools, pools

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In the recent year the look of the backyard and garden area has been changing. There is more of an emphasis on extending the home living space into the backyard and making better use of whatever outdoor space is available, even what would be considered a “postage stamp” garden area.
photo credit: brewbooks

Larger backyards are also being broken up into outdoor rooms by designing the backyard into areas that have their own use or activity. These open rooms are then designed to flow together to create an overall backyard. A secret garden, kitchen room, children’s fort play area, and a water feature area are only a few rooms that are being created for.

Plants are still part of this new outdoor living space but home gardeners are shifting to different garden styles. They are selecting plants that remind them of exotic places or a vacation destination that may be out of their reach at the time.

Sophisticated contemporary designs are also in this year. Gigantic planters planted with bold plants, trees and pampas grass are focal points in the backyard and use of strong lines and angles fill out the landscape.

Gardeners are focusing more on foliage and less on flowers. The ease of ornamental grasses has doubled there used in landscape design. And they are being accented by easy to care for flowers with vibrant colors such as reds, oranges and yellows

Gardens are also being created smaller with better planning for space and use. This trend had to do with creating gardens with less work and also creating space for the return of victory gardens and recession gardens. Many of the most successful small space gardens are combining ornamental plants with vegetables and fruits. Petite annuals, perennials, shrubs and garden produce make combining these plants successful.

And finally “green gardening” techniques are a main concern when designing the backyard. This includes planning the backyard around recycled building materials, recycled garden décor, and the use of no chemicals or softer pesticides. Controlling the amount of water used in the backyard is also important as is creating garden designs using solar lighting.

With the changes in gardening and design even the city dweller or renter should be able to create there our backyard oasis, even if it’s only the size of a postage stamp. It amazing how beautiful and relaxing these small space garden areas can be.

The Backyard Oasis, which is a site for The Gardener’s Rake is have a week long  Small Backyard Design Week starting April 19, 2009.

Stop by the Backyard Oasis for unique backyard garden design ideas that will focus on small space design, garden rooms, combining indoor and outdoor space and many other creative gardening ideas.

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