Does anyone have experience in installing a green sedum roof on a small, already built and shingled structure like a garage, tool shed, playhouse, studio?

I have looked into the sedum mat idea and decided it would be too unwieldly (although quick and easy if I could get hold of the pre-planted matting). Green roof companies use cranes to install the matting.

I would like to experiment with this on my small garden tool shed. Need DIY instructions--I have spent a lot of time searching the web, but no results. Plenty of photos and mentions of this being tried by homeowners, but no actual information, sources of material, directions, etc. All information is from greenroof companies--lots of engineering, heavy equipment, big jobs on new construction factories, public buildings, and the like.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ginger

HTH

I am looking for basic DIY instructions on putting a sedum roof on a small outbuilding. This is for ornamental, aesthetic purposes only. Something simple like the sod roofs of prairie homes--nothing engineered, complex, expensive, for the purpose of growing food, saving energy, etc.

I have an organic gardening business; lots of people like the country cottage look here in New England. A garden shed with sedum roof is very pleasing to the eye. I am going to experiment on my own garden tool shed and see what I can do this spring. Trying to collect some information from others' experiences.

I did get a good set of instructions from Nandina on the Permaculture forum, using strips of sod and chickenwire.

I am interested in any other methods people may have tried.

Best,
Ginger

In my landscaping business we avoid planting succulents on slopes much greater than 20 degrees unless the slope is "pegged" to minimize slippage during our winter rains. The idea of planting Sedum through aviary or other fencing is sound. I've made hanging gardens using aviary wire, green peat moss, potting mix and such things as lettuce, strawberries, epiphytes (no potting mix), or small succulents. These gardens were free-standing with own post-and-frame structures to bear the load.

I am thinking of using sedum acre and 'Red Dragon' as they have smaller leaves and are very hardy in this area. Also will provide a nice display of different colors and textures.

Any other thoughts or ideas people might have . . .?

As for your sedum roof, it sounds really charming, and it sounds like you seem to have it figured out.

I was wondering how that would fair over the winter being up out of the ground and on a roof where the roots are more vulnerable and more exposed to cold from another direction?

I like your sedum choices, sounds really interesting. Sedum kamtschaticum 'Variegatum'was another thought.

I think sedums will do fine-and semps--many of the groundcover type are hardy to Z4. Their roots are so few and shallow anyway, and they make it thru our winters here, so I think they should be fine. Sedum k. is a good idea too, although the variegated variety would probably looks gray and bland from the distance tha top of a roof provides.

Thanks for your ideas.
G.

Yes, I agree it would look rather bland, I was under the impression you were mixing various sedums and pachysedums types together. Is this a southern exposure ?

Is your garden shed strong enough to bear the wieght of a sod roof? From what I've read, many of the prarie sod roofed houses also had sod walls (sort of like adobe, hold up to a lot of load stress, not as much shear stress) and fairly large timbers as roof beams and rafters.

Peace,

- Sequoia

What a great name: Sequoia.

Ginger

I just read elsewhere that a green roof has to be 6 times stronger to hold 3-4" of soil rather than just shingles. Your link says the sod roofs were thinner than sod walls, but the walls were 24-30" thick!! They also said that some sod home roofs were made of shingles and that the shingled roofs were the best.

Interesting how they kept the windows from shattering as the sod settled by creating open spaces and stuffing them with rags.

Best,
Ginger