Rooftop Gardening with the Cole Family

“We tried putting a garden in the backyard, last year, but it didn’t grow very well”, explained Alicia, pointing to the railroad ties down below. Weeds had overtaken the raised bed which sat in a shaded alcove in the backyard.

“And we had a hard time keeping the dogs out of it too”, she laughed, pointing to the two German Shepherds pacing around the backyard.

“So I thought why not put a garden on the roof?”

"As a physician, I definitely think that good food is linked to good health", explains Alicia. " I want my kids to not only know where food comes from but eat healthy, home-grown vegetables (and keep me out of the grocery stores on busy week day work days!).  I am excited about growingcarrots, garlic, lettuces and leafy greens in the cooler seasons. In the meantime, I should have a bumper crop of zuchinni this summer!"

The flat roof area on the back of the Coles' home was plenty big enough for a garden. It had a convenient access door, a load bearing wall underneath that could support the Ringling Brothers Circus, and nearby downspouts where they could harvest rainwater.

In order to minimize heat, the Coles had the existing black roof replaced with new cooler white roofing material. Before installing the raised beds and rain barrel, we placed a layer of durable so-slip material that’s specially designed to prevent tears in the waterproof membrane caused by objects and foot traffic.

Two 4’x6’ Kitchen Garden style raised beds fit perfectly over that burly load bearing wall, and according to Alicia the 80 gallon rain barrel is already earning its keep.

The summer vegetable varieties that the family planted are loving all that new sunlight and they’re just fine with those German Shepherds staying way down on the ground below.