Rooftop gardens are becoming very popular. The world today has realized all the more the importance of living in an environment of plants and trees. Even cities in other places of the world are making sure that they are incorporating gardens or have room for plants in their skyscrapers or buildings. Anyone can quickly turn a plain old rooftop into something new with dwarf fruit bearing trees, flowers, vegetables or herbs. There’s no better time to start enjoying a beautiful and relaxing natural ambiance than now. Plus, you will also reap the benefits of being able to breathe in cleaner air and perhaps harvest the fruits and vegetables of your labor. You can have your very own rooftop garden just by following these simple steps.

Step 1. Get all the necessary materials needed to start your project. Some of the basic things that you will need include soil, plants, fertilizer or compost, wooden boxes, and water. In addition, you will also need plastic tarp and tents.

Step 2. Check to see if you can start your own rooftop garden. If you are renting, you will need the approval of the landlord. If you are a homeowner, it is also wise to get the advice from a professional whether your roof is stable enough to start a garden. To note, in some communities a special permit is needed for you to have a rooftop garden. It’s always safer and better to create a garden on a flat rooftop compared to ones that are inclined.

Step 3. Identify the area where you would like to put plants and make a design plan. You can always hire a landscape artist, but it is easy enough to make a plan yourself and make your own measurements. Knowing the measurement of the space will allow you to plan out how many plants you need. You will also be able to figure out how much space you will have for the roof to serve other functions. For example, you may want to put out some deck chairs for you to relax in or put a small dining table to use when hosting a few guests.

Step 4. Pick the plants available to you which will grow under direct sunlight. Dwarf fruit bearing trees and vegetables make a great choice. Not all plants will thrive under too much heat. You can set up your tent materials to function as a shade for your plants that might easily wither. To also provide more protection for your plants, use the plastic tarp.

Step 5. Choose what you would like to put your plants in. You can use containers, planters, or wooden boxes. You can even choose to use all three. Each of them has their own positive aspects.

Step 6. Keep up with your garden. For it to grow healthy, take the time each day to water it. Since it is also under direct sunlight, you will need to make sure that you water it frequently enough so that the plants don’t dry up. Trimming and pruning will also be necessary to grow a healthy garden.