Roof Gardens

Roof gardens—growing plants or turf directly on a building's roof—has been popular in Europe and Japan for decades. Also known as a "green roof," roof gardens greatly reduce storm water run-off, help to reduce cooling costs in the summer, and filter pollution from rain water. Cities and government agencies are even providing financial incentives to encourage homeowners to "green-up" their roofs.

UF/IFAS Sites

• Green Roofs for Urban Areas
• UF Green Buildings Program: First Green Roof at UF

Other Sites

• About Green Roofs--Earth Pledge
• About Green Roofs--Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
• Green Roof Research Program--Michigan State University Department of Horticulture
• Green Roofs--U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Green Roofs Take Root--National Wildlife Magazine
• Green Your Garage: A Homeowner's Guide to Small Green Roofs--Roofbloom.org (PDF)
• U.S. Green Building Council