new to the whole gardening world

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by leannesteph, Sep 25, 2010.

  1. leannesteph

    leannesteph Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi I am moving to a apartment which has a roof garden, and was thinking that growing my own herbs and veg might be nice.

    What would I need to get in order to do this?

    I dont have much space for a full sized greenhouse. Although there is a kind of metal box structure there with 2 shelves (im guessing art). Is it possible to get a cover for this and use it as a mini green house? or because its an upright box shape and the roof of its not transparent, will it not work because the sun cant shine on them from above?

    Any advice start to finish would be great!
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Hi leannesteve and welcome to the forum.

    A roof garden sounds wonderful.

    Have you a photo of it now, that would help us. Also whereabouts are you in the UK? Is the roof in the full sun all the time?
     
  3. leannesteph

    leannesteph Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi thanks for the warm welcome!

    Im in the city centre of liverpool. Here is a pic....

    [​IMG]

    Do you think that I could make a mini greenhouse out of that blue box at the back? or because the top of it isnt see through would this not work?
     
  4. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    I would be more concerned about it getting blown away. Even weighting it down might not work, especially as that high up, the winds would be stronger and there would be less resistance for them.

    Looks like a lovely space though and I bet you will enjoy it immensely, especially in summer with that view. How much sun does it get? And apart from wanting to get a mini greenhouse up there, have you any other plans for it?
     
  5. leannesteph

    leannesteph Apprentice Gardener

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    In terms of the wind, below this roof garden there is a little decked courtyard. My kitchen opens up to it then you can walk up the stairs to this top one. I could get say a mini 3 tier down there or a cold frame, and it would be sheltered from the wind? I am not that sure about sun yet as only just moved in and its rained the past week :(. The building is a old victorian school so my plans for the top garden, are a few seats and some spotlights on the sandstone.
     
  6. EddieJ

    EddieJ gardener & Sculptor

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    What is it about roof gardens that make me go WOW!! :)

    I think that it could be the intimacy and privacy of it, along with the small scale that lends itself perfectly to fine almost clinical detail.

    I'd love be let loose on something like that. I'm going to watch this thread with great interests.:)
     
  7. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    There you go Leanne - you have a reason, even an obligation to come back and keep us up to date with your progress, including pictures! :)
     
  8. leannesteph

    leannesteph Apprentice Gardener

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    ha I need to know where to start first hahaha!
     
  9. EddieJ

    EddieJ gardener & Sculptor

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    Get yourself down to your local library. There should be loads of great books on small/little gardens.

    If there isn't, then use this as an exercise to write your own.:)

    I'm not a fan of grasses, but I have a feeling that somewhere along the line you are going to end up with lovely tall ones in pots, which will rustle peacefully in the wind, as you lay restfully in a hammock sipping wine while listening dreamily to it*.

    On perhaps a more serious note, it may pay you to investigate as to whether there are any restrictions on what you can or can't do up there. It would be a shame to start off on the wrong foot.







    * I can't beleive that I just wrote that rubbish!:hehe:
     
  10. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG]... Can you lay the blue box down..?? Making sure you have some drainage holes, fill with compost & you have a ready made raised bed..!! :wink::thumb:
     
  11. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    That is a lovely roof leannesteph with great views, you are very lucky. To be honest I wouldn't worry too much about a mini-greenhouse to begin with, I'd aim to get one in the spring. Theres not too much you can grow in an unheated greenhouse right now only lettuce and salad leaf stuff and even then you won't get much over the winter. The main growing season is just finishing and I'm gradually reducing the stuff growing in mine (on the ground of course!).

    I'm thinking the same as others, you might get a fair bit of wind up there so I'd recommend some big containers with bamboo or grasses which can take a bit of battering. Your lower level area sounds interesting and more sheltered, maybe you can get some more tender stuff down there, if you have room I'd say that might be a better place to grow your herbs and veg - again I'd wait till the spring. Gives you a chance to get to know where the sun shines and which are the most sheltered places.
     
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