don't forget this rooftop garden in Logan Square, which was just featured on Advocates for Urban Agriculture Chicago and was also an entry for the Jumpstart contest:

http://auachicago.wordpress.com/
http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/february-jumpstart-2009-entries/how-to-rain-barrel-watering-system-breannes-february-jumpstart-project-2009-077398

I can't wait to get my balcony in order! I'm awaiting the delivery of a really cool paver system made of recycled tires and water bottles. It's lightweight, on it's own drain grid and looks like brick pavers.

My apartment has a roof terrace with a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline, and I'd love to build a little garden in my part of it, but there is no water source up there! I cannot see myself lugging buckets of water up and down the stairs everyday. Not to mention, everything I plant always dies.

Just got a strawberry pot for my deck/balcony which has full sun most of the day. I will mix a bunch of those water-holding crystals into the potting soil (hydrated) and still water daily (unless it rains). That's about the only way to keep plants alive in such severely dry conditions. (I want to plant strawberries and herbs in the little pockets.)

Bozotown, maybe you could set up some kind of water collection system and a barrel or tub to collect rainwater to water plants on the roof. That would minimize the need to carry water. As for things dying, well, that depends on the plant and the care you give. Look for low maintenance drought tolerant things and maybe you can surprise yourself!

bozotown, make a self watering container. there are instructions all over the internet. basically, rain water will collect in a reservoir below the plant, and provide moisture much, much longer. so you will be able to make it between rains, unless there's something like a 4 week drought or your reservoir is tiny.

art - can you send post a link to the product you mention? sounds interesting thx!

@SanDiegoAT:

website:

http://vastpavers.com/

photograph of actual product and color choices:

http://twitpic.com/2nxsi

Thank you! How do they feel, esp. with bare feets? Squishy and rubbery or???? Do they help absorb sound (sort of the way carpeting does?)

Also, do you mind giving an hint about the approximate pricing? Their website doesn't give any pricing (I hate that! I always want to know ballpark $ before bothering to contact a company further. Gah!)

From their website FAQ:

Is VAST expensive?
VAST is a socially responsible luxury decking material that is a premium to traditional composite lumbers. VAST is the most unique, earth friendly and maintenance free decking material available.

I'm going to go ahead and summarize this point for them:
Is VAST expensive?
Yes.

@SanDiegoAT:

VAST is not expensive compared to other decking systems. It is less than the good Ipe tiles for instance.

The feel of the material would be similar to composite decking like Trex for instance but with the countours of a brick paver.

@SanDiegoAT:

I should have mentioned that this is a relatively new product. I believe it is only sold through commercial masonry distributors right now--that's probably why pricing is not included on the site.

Thanks a lot for the pointers and info, art! It looks like an interesting product. :-)