A BIRD FRIENDLY GARDEN

• PLANT TUBULAR FLOWERS that produce nectar;blue and red flowers are especially popular with the birds.
• USE PLANTS THAT ARE NATIVE to your area as they are most likely to lure indigenous wildlife ;use varieties that bloom at different times of the year so there are always some good options.
• PROVIDE NESTING BOXES hung 2.5 to 3 m off the ground, facing east, for morning light.
• PLANT TREES for food and shelter;oaks produce acorns for food, conifers are especially good for nesting sites.
• PLANT SHRUBS and grasses that offer berries or seeds.
• USE BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS IN YOUR FEEDER and birds will flock to it.
• MAKE SHALLOW WATER READILY AVAILABLE IN THE FORM OF A HANGING OR STANDING BIRDBATH.

ROOFTOP GARDEN

• Benefits of a rooftop garden are reduced energy use, reduced heat effect, reduced storm water runoff, better air quality, increased green space and enhanced property value.
• The combined plant and soil layers on the roof provide excellent insulation.
• A green roof is a green space created by adding layers of growing medium and plants on top of a traditional roofing system.
• A rooftop garden includes :

1. Plants, often specifically selected for particular applications.
2. Growing medium , specifically engineered, which may include soil.
3. Filter cloth /material to contain the roots and the growing medium, while allowing for water penetration.
4. A specialised drainage layer, sometimes with built in water reservoirs.
5. Waterproofing membrane, sometimes with an integral root repellent.
6. Roof structure , with traditional insulation, either above or below.

• The first and most important step is waterproofing of roof to avoid any risk of leakages.
• Secondly the terrace must be strengthened, so that it can take the weight of all the earth and plants planted on it.
• METHODOLOGY :

1. Mark the area : The terrace slab can either be sunk in the identified area by about a foot and a half to two feet, the roof slab can remain as it is and one can have a garden, which is stepped up by a few steps.This is done in order to take care of the several layers of filling that go in below the garden cover.
2. Strengthening of slab : A structural engineer should be consulted to guide about the extra strengthening of the slab which will be required in this particular area of the roof slab. Waterproofing of the slab is done in order to prevent seepage's to the floor below. It is better to do a chemical based waterproofing instead of a membrane based one. After the waterproofing, the final layer of concreting is done.
3. Drainage :Once the slab is strengthened and waterproofed , the drainage section is laid over the slab with perforated pipes.Next comes the layer of aggregates with gravel, brickbats and sand.A filter fabric follows this, which is basically a thick sheet on which a stone grid is laid and then a net spread on it.This is done to hold the earth in place when it is laid and also to ensure that the draining system is not clogged by silt, thus preventing draining and soil erosion.
4. Soil or manure :The layer of earth or soil mixed with manure will be about 6 or 9 inches deep.
5. Plants :Plants should be chosen to avoid any structural damage to roof slab.Plants requiring less water and with shallow or short roots should be chosen.
6. Build wind breaks :The wind could snap trees and tear up plantings.Arrangements must be made in the form of fences and other barriers. Winds constantly dry out the soil.Pergolas, lattice fences and wood panels can be erected to provide shade but still allow air and sun to enter.