Growing Food On Green Roofs

Cities around the world are making green roofs mandatory in new building construction.

Growing food on green roofs.

According to tree hugger the popularity of green roofs is growing by 35 in the united states in the past couple of years. Green infrastructure has many purposes. In general rooftop farms or gardens sit within the intensive green roof category. However it is possible to grow herbs on extensive green roofs.

For instance allium species can thrive on extensive green roofs especially chives. The food roof farm is an urban farm in downtown st. Among them is food production but do we use green infrastructure for this as much as we could. But there s no requirement that these spaces provide a means to grow food.

Rooftop food growing has a growing interest. February 08 2019 10 48 am share on facebook. Green roofs are not a new concept but of late one that slowly seems to be attracting more and more interest. In fact there are some urban agriculture rooftops where the food is grown on hydroponic systems on the roof to avoid the need for a growing substrate altogether.

For example in toronto ontario 50 to 60 per cent of consumed food is imported. Green roofs absorb rainwater and grow food. By growing food on green roofs there are also extended environmental benefits to consider. Louis located just north of the delmar divide.

Growing food locally not only increases food security creates new employment training and creates new green space it reduces food transportation distance. To help with that initiative in the nation s capital a team at the university of the district of columbia has created a rooftop garden on campus with a wide variety of vegetation to help absorb excess rainwater and grow food at the same time. Even on extensive green roofs with a depth of 150mm it would be possible to grow native herbs. Green roofs absorb rainwater grow food.

Green roofs can also help moderate the energy needed to maintain the temperature of a building by keeping the roof. It is a great space for community gardens volunteer education and event opportunities. Louis garden is a space for the community to come together. However some roofs can take the required substrate depths for growing food.