DIY Green Roofs

Verify that your roof is able to hold a garden. Any roof that has a downward slope of 15 percent or more is automatically disqualified. Your architect or local land surveyor will help you determine this. Ideally, roofs should be flat to host a garden and ensure safety for the homeowners. This is why office buildings and skyscrapers are the best candidates for green roofs.

Gather necessary supplies. You may want to consider purchasing a green roof kit. Green roof kits will cost as much as $10 dollars per square foot, but all accessories are included. You may also want to purchase the materials yourself at a discounted price from a home improvement store. You will need to plan ahead to make sure that you have the necessary potting equipment to hold the types of plants you desire. Large shrubs will require deeper pots than berries and vegetables.

Cover the roof in a waterproof liner, especially if your roof is old or has been assembled piece by piece (as opposed to a one-slab concrete roof). Your house is susceptible to water damage from over-watering or flooding in heavy storms.

Arrange soil trays in a manner on your roof that will give you access to all plants for watering. Plants will be in direct sunlight all day, and the soil they are in will dry out quickly. Setting up an automatic drip water system is recommended.