Green Roof SoilWhat is the Best Green Roof Soil?Soil for green roofs has to have certain characteristics. It must be light weight, have good water retention, and also good drainage. Engineered Green Roof Soil?Recently, it was thought that the best soils for green roofs were engineered soils, or pasteurized peat based soilless media, with little emphasis on local needs.The main advantage to this type of soil on a green roof is its light weight and ease of handling as it comes pre-packaged in bales from a manufacturer. Disadvantages are the lack of nutrients, and potential to become eroded by windy conditions or flooding. It also lacks microflora and microfauna, the tiny animals and plants that colonize a native soil. or Native Soil?There is now evidence that it’s advantageous to use soil native to the area and utilize the mycorrhizae - the tiny animals, yeasts and bacteria - endemic to the locale. This will enable the soil to function more fully and as an indigenous soil, make it easier for wild plants, microflora and wildlife to colonize it.Many green roof professionals recommend adding mycorrhizae and lightweight drainage material such as pumice to native soils. This is the best of both worlds, as the native soil now has the ability to drain more fully, (its one drawback) and provides a symbiotic fungus which enables better root growth. MulchRegardless of which type of soil you decide to use, a mulch of lava rock or other stone will be beneficial.Some green roof builders have concerns that the lava rock could potentially puncture the liner, but if applied correctly, this shouldn’t be a problem. There will be a consistent layer of soil on the roof over the liner or root barrier, and once the plants are in place the mulch can be carefully put around the plants. It’s not recommended to use wood based mulches such as wood chips, shavings or bark mulch due to the fire risk and the potential to be blown away by strong winds. Some advantages to using lava rock mulch are:
Fertilizer for Green RoofsFertilization of green roofs is very basic. Most of the plants recommended for use on green roofs prefer a lean soil, only requiring a small amount of organic material initially. After a few seasons the system should become self sustaining with the dropping of foliage and accumulation of dust particles from the air.The best type of fertilizer is worm castings which are easy to spread and organic. One annual application will be adequate. It’s unknown at this time if chemical fertilizers may potentially create an environmentally damaging run-off, but evidence is pointing in that direction. It would detract from the whole purpose of attempting to enhance the environment, only to pollute local waterways with chemical run off from your green roof. This is additionally important if you plan to capture the rainwater from your roof to use in irrigation. Green Roof MaintenanceThe main care that your green roof will need is to assess the drainage periodically, and remove any buildup of organic material that may cause a fire risk.Plants that potentially will need more care in this respect are grasses and herbaceous perennials which create debris around the crown. Most Sedum and other hardy succulent plants such as Sempervivum produce a very small amount of debris so this isn’t a concern. The Bright Future of Green RoofsThe art of green roof building is still in its infancy, and much more experimentation will have to take place before it becomes a science.Every day, new information is released from studies done on all aspects of green roofs, from tiny sheds to huge office buildings, giving even more impetus to green roofs. More green roof professionals as well as home owners and gardeners like us are getting excited by this old yet new technology. I hope to see many more green roofs of all kinds and sizes in my home town soon.
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