luscious green roof on a garden shed

DIY Green Roof Guide

The online resource for building small scale green roofs on garden sheds, garages, house extensions and other small construction or retrofitting projects

a green roof on a new house extension

New Builds

A step by step guide to creating a SAFE and LEAK FREE green roof on a new small scale construction project. Learn from the vastly experienced authors how to accomplish it yourself or provide guidance to your contractors

a small green roof on an electrical substation

Retrofitting

Even the smallest of roof spaces can provide a small haven of beauty and a wildlife oasis. The retrofitting section advice can be used on garden sheds, cycle & bin shelters, the fundamentals remain the same!

edge details of a garden shed green roof

Detailing

From suggested screw sizes through edge details to drainage suggestions, John & Dusty take you through the process using text, photos, illustrations and videos

edge details of a garden shed green roof

Planting Ideas

Plant suggestions focussed on native species that can provide the maximum biodiversity. Separate lists for the UK, Eastern USA & Canada, Mid-West USA

Previous Articles

Green Roof Training Workshop

Green roof Workshop - All You Need to Know – How to Build a Green Roof for Biodiversity   All You Need to Know – How to Build a Green Roof for Biodiversity Date: Saturday 12th August 2017 from 10.00am – 5.00pm Location: Hilldrop, Laindon Road, Horndon on the...

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A small green roof in Ridgefield WA

A few weeks ago, I just happened to be in Ridgefield WA. I was speaking at the ecoroof summit in Portland. So I took the opportunity to nip over to see a green roof shed in the making. Many of you reading this may not be aware that once a member we provide email...

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A double roofed green roofed barn

A double roofed green roofed barn is now gracing a woodland in Essex. Sitting in Norsey Woods near Billericay, the barn is an example of how a small building can be both sustainable and deliver for biodiversity The two roofs have provided two different habitats. In...

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Native alliums – green roof plants US to UK

Alliums are always a great choice for green roofs. Furthermore there are native allium species across North America and Europe (including the UK and France. In fact Allium schoenoprasum, one of the most commonly used has a circumpolar distribution. Called chives in...

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Green roof plants – Quebec Canada

Using plant hardiness zones, we have added a green roof planting guide for Quebec and Eastern Canada. It is not a definitive list but gives members an overview of what plants are potentially useable in these areas. The authors are not from Canada, We have have visited...

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Scottish green roof training event

Scottish and want to learn about green roofs? Well GRT in partnership with SEDA are heading to Edinburgh in September to run an event. Scottish Biosolar Roof SEDA is currently working with BIG. No not the Danish Architects but the Bridgend Inspiring Growth project....

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Dungeness – place for tough plants

Tough plants are needed for green roofs, as a cool post by Kelly Ksiazek  in Chicago at the same time as we were visiting Dungeness. And you can’t get any tougher than here. Dungeness is the largest shingle bank in Europe. Here desiccation is the order of the day....

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Seeds – Spreading wildflower love

Collecting seeds for a small green roof at this time of year (July) is a good idea. The early flowers are turning and their seed pods are ripe for collecting. Further collections can be undertaken for late flowering plants in August and late September.   This...

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Orchids on a Carport green roof

Orchids on green roofs are not as rare as you might think. This green roof Carport in Herefordshire is a case in point. Spotted Orchids have appeared on the roof.  It has also been a hit with the local invertebrates. Just proves  that with a little thought a small...

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Green Roofs in Normandy

Normandy has a few small green roofs that have been built along the principles of our small green roof guide. We are now taking blogs from our new French site to engage English readers and visa a versa. Notice the tulips in flower and the leaves of Iris. Iris was...

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The first 30 new registrations can get £2.50 off the usual price by using the discount code 20E3E039F7  at the checkout. That means only paying £9.00 in total to access the full guide. Grab a discounted membership now before they all go.