Morning:
6°c
Like many Londoners I've been to Kensington Roof Gardens and marvelled at its fountains and lawns, rose beds and even flamingos.
But it's always struck me as a one-off: could anyone replicate a garden like that on a roof right in the heart of the city?
So last week I went to see a roof garden in Reading, at the Reading International Solidarity Centre, which, while not that big (23ft x 98ft) and not so lavish, was certainly almost as ambitous in its intent.
You can barely see it from the ground: the garden is laid out between two sloping roofs, which affords it shelter and maximum sunlght.
The planting is based on the principles of a forest garden, echoing the layered ecosystem naturally found in a forest: bulbs, herbaceous perennials and ground-cover plants grow below a shrubby layer, above which is a canopy of ornamental and fruiting trees, all linked together with vines and climbers.
Every inch is packed with exotics: strawberry trees, grapes, plums, cherries and herbs and, astonishingly, all this is achieved in soil levels no deeper than 12 inches.
Each plant has been carefully chosen for its uses, whether edible, medicinal or simply weed-smothering.
There are now more than 120 plants from around the world on the roof, as well as an organic vegetable garden and glasshouse where fresh salads and herbs are produced for use in the RISC café. In turn, any green kitchen waste is composted for the garden.
Because of its sheltered location and the heat drawn from the building, plants that would otherwise have died back have overwintered well.
More tender species and cultivars are also being experimented with. It's only six years old but the garden is maturing beautifully.
While not necessarily on this scale, roof gardens are becoming increasingly popular in London. Provided the roof will bear your weight, the chances are you can turn it into a growing space.
Some roof gardeners I've met lay out sheets of plywood to spread the load of a raised bed. Or, if the roof is strong enough, old bath tubs or wooden beds made from scratch can be used.
We may not all be able to emulate the garden in Reading, but if you've got a flat roof have a good hard look at it.
Start work now and by next summer you might have your own vegetable patch, just inches above your head!
