A multipurpose soil less peat free potting mix is fine for growing herbs and other edibles but mix in plenty of perlite to both improve drainage and save on weight.
Living roof shed.
This online guide is designed to meet the needs of diy enthusiasts looking to put a green roof on a shed or outhouse builders and landscaper contractors who want to build green roofs.
This website based guide builds on the material and information in our original pdf the diy guide to green living roofs which we published in 2008.
You will need to build a tanalised wooden frame to your existing shed roof.
I liked the idea of having a bit more greenery in the property we live in central london 2.
Starting at the front lowest side of the roof measure then cut a length from a decking board to fit.
A green roof is constructed from a number of layers that protect your shed roof and support the plants that are grown in it.
These need 10 20cm 4 8in depth of growing medium enough to support perennials but not shrubs and trees.
1 build the tanalised wooden roof frame.
Holding it against the shed pre drill pilot holes which will go through both the decking board and also into the roof frame of the shed.
Build the frame so it provides a 3cm lip around the roof felt for the substrate and sedum blanket to be placed into.
They can be created for example on a gently sloping shed roof by building a grid of wooden cells on top of the roof and filling the cells with compost.
To start you ll need to put down a layer of membrane.
Make a normal flat or sloped roof into a beautiful living garden.
Tack the overhang all around the shed roof frame with the roofing tacks approximately every 20cm.
In this example i have used a pent shed roof rather than an apex which is easier to demonstrate on.
Now comes the growing medium which for a sedum roof should be at least 8cm 3in deep and for a roof of wildflowers herbs salad and strawberries at least 15cm 6in deep.
Building a green roof on your shed is a way to add interest to the shed and produce a new area to cultivate.
To help avoid the roof slipping you can divide the area in to 6 squares with timber framing thick enough to support your gravel soil and plants.
There are some things you need to check before building but the job is not very difficult.
Suitable waterproofing root barrier drainage and filter layers are necessary.
We wanted somewhere for some wildlife to have bees etc 3.
