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you’re lucky, and not just because of the views. Rooftops in London are the perfect place for a small urban garden, but there are a few important things to take note of before you do anything. Here’s what’s important to know before setting up your rooftop garden.
- Weight – Sure, you’re unlikely to have a rooftop garden so heavy it’s going to cause the ceiling below to collapse, but it is important to take note of weight. A heavy load on one section of the roof could lead to cracks below if you’re not careful. You should get a local architect or a good building contractor to check the stability of your roof before starting anything.
- It’s very important that you check out the guidelines of your local council. Just as you wouldn’t build a new room in your flat or house without notifying the council (you really shouldn’t), you mustn’t do the same with any garden of notable size. If you’re planning a relatively ambitious gardening project up there, check first to ensure you’re not falling foul of any local property laws.
- Naturally, a rooftop garden is going to face much more wind than something indoors or even lower down. You’ll have to plan for this as it’s unavoidable. Thankfully, you can make use of trellises and windbreaks to withstand the elements, but they are of course another investment and something that must be taken into consideration before you start.
- Watering – Now, living in the UK you may think this isn’t going to be much of an issue, but be realistic. It doesn’t rain here everyday of the year, even when it feels like it. You will have to water plants regularly in the summer months. Consider whether or not you have easy access to a decent water supply and how willing you are to carry heavy loads of water around. If you have access to a roof on the sixth floor but you live on the first floor, you might want to see if a neighbour is willing to let you use their water supply before you start bedding in plants.
- Light – If you’re on a roof, it’s likely you’re going to be getting all the light needed for your plants to thrive. However, make sure of this before you start preparing the garden. Some rooftops are shaded by taller buildings and the sunlight needed by plants can be rare or infrequently attained. Ensure that your rooftop has the requisite exposure to the sun.
Ultimately, if your rooftop can thrive with the above considerations taken into account, you’re good to go. Don’t let the above put you off, these are just steps that should be taken before you start building your garden and bedding your plants. Yes, it’s a lot to think about, but if your garden passes the above tests, your garden should thrive and your plants flower perfectly.
Our friends over at Garden Club London, are the ideal company to help you with this sort of project
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