Sedums sound like a pretty chill option, especially compared to veggies—I swear my tomatoes are more demanding than toddlers sometimes. I've been thinking about doing something similar on our garage roof, but I'm curious how they hold up in heavy rain or storms. Ever had issues with drainage or leaks underneath? Our area gets some intense downpours, and I'd hate to trade one headache for another...
I've had sedums on my shed roof for about two years now, and honestly, drainage hasn't been an issue—even during some pretty heavy storms. The key is making sure you've got a solid waterproof membrane underneath and decent drainage layers. I did have one corner pooling water at first, but adding a slight slope fixed that quick. Definitely less hassle than tomatoes, that's for sure...
You're spot on about the waterproof membrane—honestly, that's half the battle right there. I put sedums on my garage roof about five years ago, and at first, I was skeptical they'd hold up through heavy rains. But they've been champs so far, even with some pretty intense storms rolling through. The slope trick you mentioned is key; flat roofs always seem like a good idea until water decides to hang around in one stubborn corner. I had a similar issue, and just tweaking the angle slightly made all the difference.
Funny you mention tomatoes—tried growing them last summer and it was a total mess. Between pests and watering schedules, I'll take sedums any day. They're practically zero maintenance once they're established, and they look great too. Definitely underrated as roofing material goes...
Interesting take on sedums—I agree they're pretty hardy, but have you noticed any issues with weight over time? I've seen a couple of roofs where the added moisture retention from green roofs caused some structural concerns down the line. Maybe it's just a matter of reinforcing beforehand, but I'd be curious if you've had to make any adjustments or noticed any sagging after heavy rains...
"Maybe it's just a matter of reinforcing beforehand, but I'd be curious if you've had to make any adjustments or noticed any sagging after heavy rains..."
Yeah, good point. I've actually inspected a couple of older homes recently where the green roof was definitely causing some slight sagging—nothing catastrophic, but noticeable. Seems like proper reinforcement upfront makes all the difference...or at least regular checks to catch things early.
