So I recently moved from the 'burbs to an apartment in the city, i love it but i miss my gardening. I'm on the 3rd floor and have no access to a lawn, my porch is basically non-existent, not really any room for plants (plus it's full shade). I recently have started hanging out up on the roof (i don't know if i'm supposed to be up there, but it's gorgeous, so i go anyway!) and i'd like to put some container plants up there. the problem is that it's a black roof, so it's going to get HOT and DRY (no hose access, i'd have to haul up water for watering, so minimal is best!) up there in the summer (i'm in chicago, btw). Any suggestions on what I could do for container gardens up there? What takes heat and drought REALLY REALLY well (besides cacti of course). Any and all suggestions for how i can do some gardening are appreciated. Thanks!
(p.s. i always choose best answer)
jt c2008-04-24T11:48:29Z
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Try sedum, hen-'n-chicks, yucca, and other succulents. Maybe it will rain often this summer. Leave a bucket on the roof when it is raining for later use.
The place you're buying plants can probably advise you to the best ones for your area. I have been seeing self-watering systems advertised lately...look like a vase with a long stem...you fill with water and stick in the pot and it waters gradually. Anyway, something like that might help keep your plants from completely drying up. Also if you set your containers on a bench or old bookcase (even a couple of cement blocks with a board across them) to keep off of the black surface could help and if that is against one wall of the roof would probably get some shade during the day. Good luck. I would miss my gardens too.
I doubt anything would survive up there once summer kicks into gear. With a black roof your talking about 150 F or more in the summer. Anything you put up there will bake in minutes...I doubt even cactus would survive for long. You did say that your balcony is all shade....you can have plants there such as Impatients..and they come in a variety of colors. try hanging pots and floor pots. You can move your house plants out doors on the porch in the summer time ...try philodendrons, umbrella trees, Dieffenbachia, or Swiss cheese plants. If you have any room at all on your porch I would go that route....I would avoid the roof as it will most likely be the death of any plant you place there.
I have an area in my yard that is dry and get allot of sun i planted lavender there and it is doing well. I also found my poppies like the same thing. hen and chicks are pretty great and love dry heat. also sedum and creeping phlox. like drier soil. creeping phlox will actually rot in to moist of soil. I hope this helps some! try looking at some herbs like bee balm very fragrant and tolerant. i have my yahoo group posted below please join. i will do some research and put an extensive list of drought and heat tolerant plants just for you! thanks Jessie
Hello Here what you do go ask the landlord if you can hang stuff on you boucon if so go for it Hanging plants planters just make sure you have room. James P.