"Maybe elevating the pots slightly could help with airflow?"
Good point about airflow, but wouldn't raising the pots individually make them less stable, especially on a rooftop? I've seen setups where folks used rubber mats or even those plastic deck tiles underneath pallets to help with drainage and prevent rot. Might be worth considering something like that instead of individual elevation... just thinking out loud here. Has anyone tried something similar?
Yeah, stability's definitely a concern up on rooftops. Rubber mats or pallets are solid ideas—seen them work well myself. Another trick is using shallow trays or gravel beds underneath to boost drainage without sacrificing stability... airflow's important, but safety first, right?
Yeah, rubber mats and gravel beds are pretty clever—wish I'd thought of that before hauling buckets of soil up three flights of stairs last summer, lol. Learned the hard way that drainage is key... nothing like watching your carefully mixed soil turn into rooftop mud soup after a heavy rain. Definitely agree on airflow too; my tomatoes looked sadder than a Monday morning until I raised the containers a bit for better circulation.
Honestly though, don't stress too much about getting the mix perfect right away. Rooftop gardening's kinda trial-and-error anyway. Just keep tweaking as you go, and you'll find what works best for your setup. Sounds like you're already on the right track with stability and drainage covered—now just gotta keep those plants alive long enough to enjoy the view, right?
"nothing like watching your carefully mixed soil turn into rooftop mud soup after a heavy rain."
Haha, been there—rooftop mud soup isn't fun. You're definitely onto something with drainage and airflow, but I'd argue the soil mix itself matters more than you think. A lighter blend with perlite or vermiculite can make a huge difference in both drainage and weight (your rooftop structure will thank you later). Trust me, tweaking the soil early pays off big-time down the road... fewer headaches, healthier plants.
"Trust me, tweaking the soil early pays off big-time down the road... fewer headaches, healthier plants."
Yep, learned that one the hard way myself. Took me a couple seasons of trial and error to realize lighter mixes are key. Hang in there—it gets easier once you find your groove.
