Hello, garden enthusiasts!

Rooftop gardening is a concept that has been around as long as there have been rooftops. It seems no matter how much land space gardeners have, we always seem to be looking for more, and rooftop gardens of all kinds are gaining popularity in both residential and commercial spaces.

Lloyd, the owner of this 306 square-foot of rooftop space which has been transformed into a magnificent garden oasis, always dreamt of having a beautiful garden. When he purchased this now four-bedroom penthouse apartment on the third floor of a gated complex, it was under construction. There was no green space and the open deck space was unfinished — the floor was not in, so he envisioned looking out his window onto a nice, relaxing and inviting green rooftop garden where he could have coffee/tea and cocktails with family and friends. Being the stickler for planning with great attention to details, he stuck to his mantra of the four “P’s” — “proper planning prevents poor performance”. He communicated his request to the building contractor and engineer and it was agreed that it would be done. He immediately sketched his vision — the seating areas, placement of wet bar, potted planters, wall planters, plumbing and electrical systems, among other things.

Lloyd advised that the contractor ensure that gradients were made to facilitate run-off of excess water and the highest quality of waterproofing materials were used to cover the deck. Raised slate stepping stones with lights embedded were installed. He subsequently engaged the professionals — landscaper, plumber, electrician, tiler, mason and carpenter — to ensure that the project was executed correctly, which is also in keeping with his other mantra “getting it right the first time”, which he always tries to accomplish as far as is practicable. Despite being encouraged that the project could have been a DIY, he went full speed ahead.

Lloyd lamented that the project was in an advanced stage of completion when the novel coronavirus pandemic hit. In addition to managing the project, he was also physically involved in the process, and the care of the garden thereafter, which kept him sane while the world was shutting down.

He hastens to advise that taking care of zoysia grass on a rooftop is no easy feat: the heat emanating from the building coupled with the heat from the direct sunlight causes the grass to dry out quickly, and therefore it must be monitored. At the same time he cautioned that it must not be overwatered as this will cause root rot.

Lloyd, who now works from home, finds the view from his study breathtaking. He occasionally spots a drone hovering overhead to take pictures of the garden. (See picture below taken by a Drone.) When the pressure of work sets in, he retreats to the coolest corner of the garden to cool out.

He encourages anyone who has a dream of having a rooftop garden, not necessarily with zoysia grass, but using containers, to plan and execute when the time and resources are right. “Dreams come a size too big so you can grow into them” is his personal credo. Plus, he adds, “One should never give up on any of one’s dreams, no matter how long it takes. Like anything else in life, success comes with hard work, commitment and dedication, which must also be employed along with consistent maintenance and it will be worth it!”

The garden is L-shaped in design. All the wooden pieces are made from Spanish elm and are waterproof. The movement of the grains in the wood adds a new dimension of elegance to the space. There are two seating areas — one on the grass and the other on interlocking pavers in a herringbone pattern upon which sits a large custom-made wooden bench with Christmas palm, cyprus and red tie in the background. Nearby a custom-built wet bar complete with brass pot filler and soap dispense, counter top inlaid with wood and stainless steel farmhouse-sink with wooden cover adorns this corner.

Six wooden wall planters are strategically mounted on the walls throughout the garden, one of which is planted with vegetables — Scotch bonnet peppers, lettuce and tomatoes. Lloyd believes in “grow what you eat and eat what you grow” as far as practicable. All the potted plants are placed in designer planters and are positioned throughout the garden. The garden walls are accentuated with garden artwork and my favourite ones are the wooden head carvings which Lloyd purchased in Indonesia. They complement this seating area magnificently!

Tips for Starting a Rooftop Garden

1. Start with a plan.

2. For both construction-in-progress and existing rooftops, consult with building contractor and engineer to ensure that the roof can support the weight of the garden.

3. Check into proper access and egress points.

4. Use high-quality materials, especially waterproofing, soil, sand and gravel.

5. Identify location for best water and electrical sources.

6. Ensure gradients are installed for excess water run-off.

7. Choose the right plants (sun-loving, drought and wind-resistant).

Remember, plant something and watch it grow!