Life on the Roof

By Kim Charles

Janet Cleveland from the " concrete jungle ' of NYC gives us a peek into her stunning rooftop garden .

" The challenges of above soil storey container horticulture , might discourage even the most seasoned gardener from attempting anything more lasting than a ' cafe umbrella ' and a few geranium in plenty on the deck . That ’s because , life on the ceiling is laborious . The climate lean to be 2 to 3 clock time for powerful than whatever the atmospherical conditions are at street layer , with the heat index coming seriously into play . If the concrete jungle of NYC is clocking in on the even word at 95 level , it ’s 103 on the rooftop !

However , along with the noisy parade of never - ending harsh condition ; crazy lead , utmost warmth , uttermost stale and simply gobs of pollution , come some rather rare reward . My favorite of them being the phenomenon of the ' microclimate ' .

In spring , my city garden is fully 3 week ahead of the ' in - world ' gardens . There is also the deficiency of pernicious weeds to contend with ( although there ’s a neighborhood ash tree that pelt me with propeller seeds yearly ) and the complete absence of chewing critters make a salad bar out of your plants ( although , there has been a couple of raccoon ’s adventuring about on a couple of occasions ? ! )

What seems at first to be an attempt at making a succulent botanical arena in a average comic strip on the main road , apace begin to parade more refinement , as the plants grow and light changes . Of course the headstone to every container and every flora therein , is drainage . I did n’t fully understand what that word mean , until I rise up to the roof with my first bag of dirt !

Anyway , if you and your plants can survive the rising battle and the bazillion flights of step ( no elevator ! ) before of you , your elevate ' eco - system ' can do better than just ' work out ' , it can flourish . Take heart , enjoy the pictures and Good Luck Everybody ! "

Have a garden you ’d like to share ? Email 5 - 10 photos and a brief write up about your garden to[email protect ] . Please include where you are located !

Have a mobile phone ? trail your photos onInstagramorTwitterwith # FineGardening !

You do n’t have to be a professional garden lensman – check out ourgarden photography tips !

Do you pick up the GPOD by email yet ? Sign uphere .

Fine Gardening recommend product

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine horticulture receive a commission for items buy through links on this situation , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertizement programme .

Get our later bakshis , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

sign you up …

The Sex Life of Flowers

Spring Beauty on Puget Sound

Part 2: The Heat is on Down Under

Highlights from the Landscape of Life Meditation Garden

Join all right Gardening for a free engaging hot webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical director …

When I spot a exceptional grit one dollar bill cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delicious coloring material shape …

When we only prioritize industrial plant we require over works our landscape needs , each season is filled with a never - ending list of chore : pruning , snarf , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be measured when you enter the backyard of garden intriguer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a twosome …