Edible roofs
With the prospect of Peak Oil forcing up the price of growing and distributing food, the movement to produce more local food has looked at roofs as one element in a strategy to ensure a sustainable and secure food supply chain.
Growing food on a roof is not without its challenges, particularly protecting plants from wind and harvesting and storing enough rainwater to cover the droughts climate scientists predict for the UK as a result of climate change.
Around the world there are more and more examples of exciting edible roofs.
In London, Global Generation is working with young people to develop their understanding of the importance of the environment. This includes several innovative edible roofs.
Download Guide to Setting up Your Own Edible Rooftop Garden, published by Alternatives in Montreal.
Watch a report about the construction and planting of the Wolff Olins rooftop allotment in Kings Cross by Global Generation.
Watch a report about Rooftop Farms, a 6000 square foot organic farm on the roof of a warehouse in Brooklyn.
Watch a video about the Rooftop Garden Project in Montreal (French with English subtitles).
Watch a report about Uncommon Ground, an organic restaurant in Chicago which growns its own food on the roof.
Check out Sustain's links to other inspiring edible roofs.
Download a list of planting depths for vegetables grown in containers
Planting depths (149.57kb)
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