Rooftop Garden
everywhere i go, i find a garden… even on a rooftop!
Rooftop garden at W17 in Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg.
Last week I went to work on a project that happened to be at a different office than mine. This office is in the lovely suburb of Hyde Park on a rooftop and it was nothing I could have imagined. Workshop 17 in Hyde Park opens up to a beautiful rooftop garden. I wandered around during lunchtime and I must say, for a rooftop garden, the only thing missing is a beehive! It really is a sight to see. Having a garden in a workspace must be one of the best things about going to work. It got me interested in the topic of rooftop gardening.
Rooftop gardens in high-rise city buildings in Johannesburg have gained some popularity over the past few years. They offer a variety of benefits for both residents and the environment. We all know that air quality and biodiversity in Joburg leaves much to be desired. While I am not suggesting that rooftop gardening will save our dear Jozi, there are certainly some benefits to having a rooftop garden in this city:
Urban food production: Rooftop gardens can provide fresh, locally grown produce for residents, thus contributing to urban food security.
Improved air quality: Plants in rooftop gardens absorb pollutants and release oxygen. This can contribute to improved air quality in urban areas.
Reduced stormwater runoff: Rooftop gardens can help to reduce stormwater runoff by absorbing rainwater, which can help to prevent flooding and reduce the burden on the city's drainage system.
Biodiversity: Rooftop gardens can provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, helping to increase biodiversity in urban areas.
Mental health benefits: As the author of Garden My Heart, I am a huge proponent of the garden gospel that says spending time in nature can have a positive impact on mental health. Work and indeed life, can be stressful. Rooftop gardens can offer a much-needed green space for city dwellers who need that connection to nature.
From a business perspective, I wonder what the impact of rooftop gardens would be on property values. Are tenants willing to pay more to rent a space that has greenery on the rooftop? How can we use rooftop gardens to create a sense of community in a city that can sometimes feel lonely?
I am in no way downplaying the challenges to setting up a rooftop garden. Setting up a rooftop garden can be expensive, as it requires specialised equipment and materials. The cost of soil and compost is considerably higher because you aren’t growing directly in the earth. Rooftop gardens also require a more hand-on approach to maintenance. You have to stay on top of watering, fertilising, and weeding. Water access can also be a challenge, especially when there are water restrictions. You may need to invest in a sustainable irrigation system to keep your garden alive, especially when there is drought. Rooftop gardens can be exposed to strong winds and extreme weather conditions (the highveld storms of summer come to mind), which can damage plants.
Despite these challenges, rooftop gardens are a valuable asset to the city of Johannesburg, offering a range of benefits for both residents and the environment. As the city continues to grow and develop, it is likely that we will see more and more rooftop gardens popping up across the skyline and I am so here for it!