A green roof by Bio Neighbors (bioneighbors.com)Interested in expanding your garden skyward? Stephanie Alarcon, a Penn State Master Gardener, is here to help.
“People are excited by the idea of using the dead space on a roof for several sustainability improvements at once,” says Alarcon. “Vegetated roofs and walks reduce storm water runoff, tame indoor temperature swings, cool down the urban heat island effect, and create habitat for insects and birds.”
This Saturday, Alarcon, with Urban Ecoforms and Bio Neighbors, local companies that builds green roofs and living walls, will dive into the technical details for starting your own green roof.
“It’s fun to think about recreating their habitat in a challenging place,” says Alarcon, And don’t worry if you’re a city dweller. Alarcon says that even for those who rent and don’t have free rein over rooftops, green roofs can be a realistic possibility.
The program, part of Penn State Extension’s Philadelphia Master Gardeners’ Second Saturday series, is happening this Saturday, January 14 at the Fairmount Horticultural Center from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The cost is $10 and pre-registration is recommended. Find out more here.
— Anna Louise Neiger
