DIY Green Roof - Brown Comes Before Green

Sometimes I get a wild hair to start a new project. This one has been growing for a while now and I took a little time last Sunday to see what I could come up with. A small, corrugated covering over our recycling bins attached to the side of our detached garage is my target for a small, experimental DIY green roof. I've had my eye on this spot for a while because it meets a few different criteria. First, it's a small plot -- about 6' x 6' at most. As an experiment I don't want to take anything on that would be too grand a scale. Second, it's not over anything crucial. If any problems develop with leaks or even collapse of the supporting structure little can be harmed except for a couple plastic bins and a cement slab.

So why start now? Because only last week I realized I had everything I need to get started. My basic criteria above were met and I remembered that I have material to help make the roof green: dirt! After our recent front and back lawn replacement, we had some sod leftover from the back that's been piled up waiting to be done away with. Instead, I reasoned, why don't I put it to use for my green roof? So Sunday I started in. First my idea was to harvest the lovely grass growing from this pile to make up the roof itself. I put a few patches atop the roof but then decided to focus on dirt instead. I filled about 4 or 5 buckets full and hauled it up the ladder (not easy on the balance, mind you), dumped it and spread it out a bit.

So far it's held up to some funky June-uary wind and rain from yesterday. I also wet it down with the hose and was dazzled that none of that water immediately ran off the edge.

Next steps include first finishing up spreading more dirt. I'm going to keep the layer pretty shallow 'cause, especially when it's soaked with rain water, I don't want to put too much weight on the supports. I also want to figure out some kind of barrier to put against the garage side of this roof to protect it from any possible damage to the siding.

From there I need to decide what will make this roof green. I could, as mentioned use just grass but I'd like to go further. Given that the dirt won't be more than an inch or so deep, I wonder if there are any native plants, grasses, etc I could look at? A trip to the Tacoma Nature Center might be in order but I'm open to suggestions.

Comments (3) | To Top

6/10/2008 @ 10:07am

I think most green roofs use sedums and other drought-tolerant stuff...maybe look into some of that. Maybe call the Master Gardeners for some advice?

by jamie

6/10/2008 @ 10:56am

That's a fantastic idea, I'll do that. Thx jamie. I've been meaning to hit the library to look for some books as well.

by KevinFreitas

7/21/2008 @ 12:12pm

smgsucculents.com are located near portland OR, and supply a large number of greenroof projects. I've been looking into DIY greenroofs just recently. Anyway, their selection of plants is staggering.

by Heidi