- 1). Protect the structural framing under your roof from rot and mildew by ensuring it is properly waterproofed. Apply a roof primer and a waterproofing membrane over the entire surface of the roof before you begin, making sure it is sealed properly at the soffits.
- 2). Determine which areas of your roof you'd like to cover with plants. If you have a roof deck, or if portions of the roof are visible from your windows, you'll want to pay some attention to design and layout. If not, your pattern can be random. If you want to avoid undue pressure on your roof structure, concentrate planting around the perimeter of the surface.
- 3). Mark off the area where you will be placing plants into 2-by-2 foot squares. Count the total number of squares you come up with to see how many planting beds you will need.
- 4). Visit a local nursery and purchase a selection of native plants. These are plant species that are native to your region and will grow with little or no maintenance. They often consist of shrubs and grasses.
- 5). Place the plants into 2-by-2 foot shallow plastic planters. Fill the planters with fertilizer and potting soil.
- 6). Take the planters up to the roof carefully, and place each one onto one of the 2-by-2 foot squares you marked earlier. Check the roof every 6 months and perform any maintenance required, such as trimming plants or replacing those that are not growing properly.
SHARE
