I'd like to try that too...but don't know if I can handle it without some help....the body's getting old before the brain is ready for it to....lol Anyway "if" I give it a try I think I'd like to get maybe some pond liner to put over my roof to protect it. Mine would also be over my outhouse... It doesn't look like it in the pictures but I think the side boards should be cut on an angle...(mitered) so the point straight up instead of out..If that makes any sense to you...I think the dirt would not wash out as easy that way. I tried to draw a little sketch but it looked stupid so I didn't post it...lol Mine mind sees it better than my hands... anyway thanks for posting this...it is a very pretty idea. patti

I'm looking for a good vegetable gardening book with thorough profiles on loads of vegetables. Kind of like a Vegetable gardening bible. I already know about plants and what they need in general (I have a degree in Horticulture), so I don't need a general guide about how to start a garden. But I need to know more about each vegetable's preferences and issues. When I want to figure out a problem with a certain crop, I want to flip right to the plant in the book. When I want to do something better next year for the plant to produce more abundantly, I want to flip right to the plant in the book. Any suggestions?

This is very late, however, I don't log on often. Rooftop gardens look really great with succulents and sedums. Earlier this winter I read an article where the woman put a lip on her garden shed and layered planting trays filled with sedums, hen and chicks and other drought tolerant plants. I suppose that Thyme would work well. Another trick is to sprinkle water crystels under gravel to help absorb water and release it slowly. I plan on covering an old Roosevelt outhouse with rubber and planting a variety of succulents and sedums that will trail over the edges. That will help preserve the original shingles and perk up an old outhouse. Hopefully you will get an email. Of course after two years, I am sure you have come up with something.

Hi Rooftop! If your planters are bursted it will be easier work. Just rip the old boxes off, cut away as much old root as you can- removing about 3 inches of the old soil/root mass and add new soil Then re-box with new wood. You can also do the same as above-then box in with a larger box with more new soil. I would suggest this on any plants that just haven't been happy in the size box they have. In addition to cutting root, you might want to cut back the top of the plants too and/or thin them out. This is best done in early spring before new growth comes. If plants are actively growing, like in later spring, Make sure they are well watered and that the air is moist- like after a rain storm when another rain is imminent. If your planters haven't quite burst at the seams, go from above with a sharp strait spade and cut down- remove the 3 inches from above and fill with fresh soil. Smaller pots like biggish house plants -remove 1-2 inches. Larger trees-remove up to 6 inches of root. Repeat every 1-3 years depending on how plants are faring. If they are drying too quick or getting leaf burn, do more often or cut more root and some top. I would do some pots every year and rotate who gets done-so you are not overwhelmed. This technique is similar to keeping bonsai. Your trees are just bigger! Some dusting of the cut roots with rock phosphate will have your plants purring. PS. Im in Ct. on the NY border but could come out and show what to do or get work done with my partners help.