A structural engineer can also advise you in preliminary designs for your garden and how to work around possible obstructions (like chimneys). Business search sites like Yelp or Angie’s List can help you find a local engineer. [2] X Research source Make sure the engineer you contact is licensed (a legal requirement in many countries, particularly the United States). [3] X Research source
If you are renting your house, contact your landlord to get permission before constructing your rooftop garden. If you live in a building that is part of a historical neighborhood, you will need to contact the district leaders to find out if there are any additional regulations. [4] X Research source
Try monitoring the sun in the morning, midday, and evening so you have an accurate sense of how exposure changed throughout the day.
You can monitor wind exposure with a weather vane, with a anemometer, or by standing on the roof and experiencing the weather for yourself. Because wind can dry out soil, your plants will need frequent watering. [7] X Research source
To keep the sketch to scale, decide beforehand how much space each square on the graphing paper will represent (e. g. 1 foot or meter). Approximate the overall size of your roof or measure it yourself, then base the drawing on your measurement.
Ornamental grasses, honeysuckles, and magnolias all do well in hot, sunny weather. Make sure you regularly water your plants, even those that are drought-resistant.
Decorate the garden with bird- or butterfly feeders to attract more animals. Ask your local nursery which plants are native to your area for your options.
Trim your trees’ roots every few years to keep them at a manageable size. Examples of ornamental trees and shrubs include: Dogwood, Japanese Lilac Tree, Crabapple, Star Magnolia, and Jack Dwarf Flowering Pear. [12] X Research source
If you can find neither, use a watering can. The most reliable watering method involves setting up an automatic irrigation system.
Seedlings will fare better than seeds in cooler or windier climates. If desired, you can also start the seeds inside and transplant them later as seedlings.
Decorate your trellis with crawling ivy, sweet peas, climbing roses, or morning glory. [15] X Research source
To prevent the furniture from blowing away in heavy winds, secure it to immovable objects or store it when you’re not using it.
Focusing too much on horizontal spaces will make your garden seem cramped.
To make your focal point stand out, avoid decorating with more than 1 or 2 larger plants/decorations. Too many focal points will distract from each other and seem overwhelming. Pick a trait (like 1 or several colors) to tie the decorations and focal point together so they don’t clash.
